Boy racers defy wrath of families

Sep 18 2006 By Poppy Brady

FURIOUS families formed a human shield to blockade their street and keep hundreds of boy racers out.

Angry parents and their children forced police to close Witton Street, Bordesley, Birmingham, after they formed a chain across the road on Saturday night.

They claim that unless urgent action is taken a pedestrian is likely be killed because of the antics of the young motorists.

Determined campaigners vowed to reclaim the road for law-abiding residents after growing tired of invading drivers showing off their souped-up motors on an impromptu drag strip every weekend.

And they vowed to return to stand in the road until Birmingham City Councilagreed to their demands for speed humps or chicanes to keep the manic motorists out.

But even as they claimed their victory, hundreds of drivers gathered to race and perform potentially deadly stunts in nearby Landor Street, just a few hundred yards away.

Campaign leader Danny McAdorey said the problem had been going on for years, and it was now so bad that the area was being advertised in a car magazine as a venue for boy racers.

"This is a residential area with a park opposite our homes, but we are terrified of letting our children out," he said.

Young drivers gathered in Landor Street said they meant no harm.

Andrew Candlin, 21, from Great Barr, said: "These are great social events and it's a shame it's being portrayed in such a bad way.

"Many of us can't afford to buy homes and decorate them, so we buy cars and put our stamp on those instead.

"It's much better meeting and talking here than going to Broad Street to get drunk and be sick."

Eventually police closed off the road for about two hours from 11.20pm.

No-one was immediately available for comment at the city council.