Seafront car park to be closed at night in six-month trial to stop illegal car racing and anti-social behaviour

A CAR PARK on Redcar Seafront will be closed at night from Tuesday 7 April in a six-month trial designed to stop nuisance and criminal behaviour.

Gates have been installed and fencing repaired at Majuba Car Park which will be closed between 10pm and 6am until late September.

The move has been supported by Cleveland Police following years of anti-social behaviour at the car park.

Neighbours have endured anti-social behaviour including cars being used for racing, 'donut-ing', wheelspins, loud revving, burnouts and even tugs-of-war as well as blowing their horns and releasing fireworks in the early hours of the morning.

A Public Space Protection Order has been in place since 2021 which has given both police and council officers more powers, including issuing on-the-spot fines. However, neither the police nor council have the resources to patrol the site every night. Traffic calming measures have also been installed which has reduced high-speed racing but has had only a limited impact on reducing noise.

Cllr Neil Bendelow, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "The people living by this car park should simply not have to put up with this nuisance which can go on right through the summer. This is a trial and we'll monitor and assess throughout the six-month period before making further decisions. However, those people intent on this kind of anti-social behaviour should consider themselves warned that neither ourselves nor the police will allow this continue and we will do what it takes to stop it."

Cllr Carl Quartermain, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, added: "This has been an ongoing issue for many years which has been tackled using various measures including a PSPO. While there have been periods of enforcement that delivered short-term improvements, the problem continues to return, bringing significant disturbance to nearby residents and posing risks to public safety. We are determined to secure a more sustainable, long-term solution and will be closely monitoring the impact of this trial nighttime closure."

Redcar and East Cleveland Neighbourhoods Inspector Neil Deluce said: "We welcome this move and will continue to work alongside Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to listen to local residents, conduct patrols in the area and take swift action whenever required. As a Neighbourhood Policing Team, we are open to a variety of problem-solving methods including education and enforcement but with this environmental-based solution it will help bring immediate respite to the local community."

Clear signage has been installed at the car park in preparation for start of the trial next week.