Anger as multi-story car park 'used as racecourse'

Police have been in touch with Mid Devon District Council with their concerns

Residents living near Tiverton’s Multi-Story Car Park (MSCP) have shared fears its being used as a racecourse.

Speaking at Mid Devon District Council’s Cabinet meeting on Thursday, January 13, Councillor Sue Griggs (Cranmore, Conservative) said: “In the evenings, the MSCP is still being used as a racecourse for various drivers.

“It’s not somewhere where I’d like to park my car for very long because the evenings are very noisy with cars racing around there until midnight and it’s really very distressing for residents having to listen to that night after night.”

Leader of the Council, Bob Deed (Cadbury, Independent) said: “I am very aware of what is happening in MSCP at night and in fact, two days ago I had two police at my home with concerns which I will be taking forward with the Council with some ideas to eradicate the problem.”

After the meeting, Cllr Deed added: "“I took up the option of putting in barriers with Andrew Busby, Group Manager for Corporate Property and Commercial Assets, and he has already responded to me in terms of cost.

"Obviously, serious discussion will follow.  Putting in barriers, with 24 hour physical presence of a person, is extremely challenging and will only eradicate part of the problem.  It may stop cars racing around the Multi-Story Car Park but it won't address the issue of skateboarding, drug taking, overnight sleeping, etc.”