Order to block boy racers from former airfield

District councillors in North Kesteven are being asked to approve a special powers to fine '˜boy racers' using a former wartime airfield as a racetrack.
Don't use old runways at RAF Metheringham as a racetrack warn police. EMN-160714-105812001Don't use old runways at RAF Metheringham as a racetrack warn police. EMN-160714-105812001
Don't use old runways at RAF Metheringham as a racetrack warn police. EMN-160714-105812001

NKDC’s Executive Board will tomorrow (Thursday) consider passing a Public Space Protection Order for the old wartime Metheringham Airfield, once used by 617 Squadron.

The PSPO is a new power which imposes conditions on use of the area to kerb a nuisance and would run for three years, reviewed annually. It would be enforced by delegated council officers and police through fixed penalty notices or court proceedings.

Council community safety officers say there has been strong support for the proposed PSPO, which would include banning vehicle gatherings; speeding or racing and causing a nuisance from loud music.

There are several minor public roads through the area, some following the line of the old concrete runways and taxiways. There have been a number of complaints to the police and North Kesteven District Council about ‘boy racers’ using the runways for races, carrying out dangerous stunts, which is a cause for concern to the public using the area as well, as it is often used by learner drivers practising moves, as well as walkers and their dogs.

Off road bikes also use the area for party gatherings.

“There have been reported as many as one hundred vehicles in the area at one time,” said community safety officers Alistair Wood and Heidi Ryder.

PC Pete Hanson, local Community Beat Manager for Metheringham, had warned nuisance drivers back in April that they were stepping up patrols in the area following complaints of some drivers racing on the old runways.

“This is unacceptable,” he said. Any of the public roadways include the full width of the runways.

The county highways department and landowners are working on other measures to prevent vehicles gathering.