Boy racers are back at airfield after ban lifted

Locals have said loud music and “revving engines” could be heard from the former airfield in the village last Saturday night (February 8).

North Kesteven District Council last year lifted a ban at the site which was designed to prohibit anti-social behaviour.

The order, which expired in October 2019, banned motor vehicle gatherings, speeding or racing, obstruction of the highway as well as racing, stunts and causing undue annoyance from amplified music.

Now, locals have said that “hundreds” of cars were heard in the village this past weekend and reportedly used the former airfield to “drag race”.

One resident said the issue “needs to be sorted” and police need to “monitor the area and keep the peace”.

Lincolnshire Police said several complaints were made to the force about a car meet up in the village.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We are investigating several complaints in relation to a car meet on the weekend in Metheringham. 

“We will be working with NKDC and land owners to try and minimise opportunities for future events. 

“If anyone has any information that can assist with our investigation they can contact us on 101, incident 397 of February 8.”

Councillor Steve Clegg, executive member with special interest in corporate and community services at North Kesteven District Council, said the authority would work to prevent further incidents from taking place at the airfield.

“We received a report of anti-social behaviour including excessive noise from vehicles at Metheringham Airfield over the weekend,” he said.

“It’s the first report we’ve received following a previous public space protection order at the site against motor vehicle gatherings, speeding or racing, obstructing the highway or causing undue annoyance from amplified music.

“We’re continuing to work together with Lincolnshire Police and the landowner to try to prevent incidents like this from taking place.

“Metheringham Airfield is a public highway and so road traffic law and anti-social behaviour law both apply at the site.”

The district council introduced a public space protection order at the site back in 2016 after residents complained of reckless driving and gatherings.

As many as 100 cars were reported on the airfield at one time. In addition, there were reports of off-road bikes using the area as a practice site.

But, the council voted not to extend the ban beyond October 2019 after it was found that not a single complaint had been made since March 2018.

However locals are now questioning whether the only reason that there had been no complaints was because the banning order had been effective.

Council leader, Richard Wright, said at the time that he believed the authority was “doing the right thing” and that the order had served its purpose.

The authority said there was “no evidence” to support extending the ban and that existing powers could be used if any complaints are made about the airfield.

Coun Ray Cucksey, member of the executive board, had added that the ban had “worked well” and that it was the right time to lift the order.