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Petrol heads love showing off their motors in the Reading Gate Retail Park
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Drivers bid for ‘cruising’ base in Reading

By Anna Roberts
May 28, 2009

Petrol heads have called on the council to build a permanent ‘cruising’ site in the town.

Led by 19-year-old Karl Allen, the group wants Reading Borough Council to allocate them somewhere they can show off their motors.

Currently the ‘cruising’ group meets in Reading Gate Retail Park, off the A33 in Whitley, on Sunday evenings.

This has prompted complaints from householders, who claim the group – which can amount to hundreds – make noise and behave antisocially.

Neighbours have also complained about the cruisers speeding and driving dangerously.

Mr Allen, who used to go to Chiltern Edge School in Sonning Common and lives in Caversham, said: “Sometimes up to 300 people can gather in the retail park. You get little s**** who cause trouble but most people just want to show off their cars. There are a lot of modified cars up there.”

Mr Allen owns a bike and he said people also took along quad bikes.

He continued: “The police come up quite a lot and tell us to leave. But as far as I know we’ve not had any complaints from businesses. In fact I think McDonald’s love it because they get lots of customers.”

Cllr Tony Page, deputy leader of Reading Borough Council and also lead member for planning and transport, said: “There has been no approach made to the council and I am not aware there would be any suitable land to use. It is not appropriate to have something like this in a car park.

“If a request is put in we will consider it but I have to say, given the constraints which exist in Reading, I cannot think of any appropriate place to have it.”

He added: “I am aware there have been problems with complaints about dangerous driving and speeding in the area. If that is part of the request, then it is not to be supported or endorsed by the council in any shape or form. If it is merely a gathering place then that is different.”

Chief Inspector Steve Thwaites, deputy LPA commander for Reading, said: “There are those that park their cars and spend time chatting to other drivers. Generally, this group is law abiding and do not cause trouble.

“The other group are those that drive their cars around the area, speeding and causing a nuisance to the community.

“Unfortunately, as both groups are often together in the same place, we have no choice but to move them all on.

“Anyone taking part in this sort of activity should be aware that we now contact the insurance company of anyone caught breaking the law, to make them aware of what the driver is doing.”

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The comment about the sniffing petrol and no brain cells is very inappropriate and made what could have been a respectable side to your comment in to an insult

paul stewart
22/11/2009 at 11:55

All of the people on here that are making comments such as "petrol heads" "idiots" "small willies" etc etc are forgetting that once there was a time where you just wanted to be free to spend time with your friends on the weekend. It has ot be said that its quite amusing that we cause you such entertainment on a sunday night, that we are such a nuiscence to you that you have to call the police, i mean please, its not like you live right on the doorstep of reading gate retail park!! And as for the "non law abiding" people that we are, well i have only one thing to say ... everytime the police have been down to check all of our cars .. how many are illegal .. oh yes that would be right ... NONE and if there are any, they get moved on out of the group until they are legal. If you just gave people a break and let them get on with it, the police wouldnt have to waste their time coming and trying to move us on, they could be out where they are needed, and as for the audi in the picture, well that just shows you that we are not all "IDIOTS" so stop stereotyping us with all the bopy racers that you think we are and OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE REAL WORLD!!!!!!!!!!

You wish, Reading
16/08/2009 at 11:14

I think you are all living in another world. I live across the road from the McDonalds in the Forbury road, I am sick and tired of you lot coming down every Sunday evening.

You are not thinking of the residents that have to call the police to get rid of you.

I can hear your stereo systems getting louder and louder during the time you are in the car park.

Why should we give you somewhere to meet, would mummy and daddy be pleased if they had all of you doing this near them, they wouldn't would they.

As you must have no brain cells left after sniffing all of that petrol that gets burnt off every night, think of the people that live in the area.

Ihatecarcruising, Reading
29/06/2009 at 09:38

The people on here writing things such as "small willies" etc need to take a look at themselves and perhaps think about getting a life. Your statements make you no better than the occasional idiot you get down there the cruise, in fact it makes you look pathetic. If you don't like people gathering there, then do something a little more pro-active than just lame immature insults.

Matt N, Wokingham
2/06/2009 at 09:36

Im assuming this lot have Jobs then?, what with price of petrol?..or do they have rich parents??-not that im a skeptic!

Highdown brat, St Louis Missouri USA
31/05/2009 at 17:39

Can I get a pair of rose coloured goggles like miss sunshine has please

The Racing Snake
29/05/2009 at 01:02

I think it is a good thing when people take pride in their cars, it's just when they drive like idiots it ruins the whole image thing.

But don't forget everyone doe that at times, it's just you notice more when the car has been done up.

On top of all this they want it legit so all power to them, the old chelsea cruise in London is now an organised event held in battersea park, last I heard.

rogerjolly, reading
28/05/2009 at 14:12

I say send dvla/police down there and then run checks on each and every car to ensure the owners have informed their insurance companies that the cars are modified. Once the results are in lets see how many are law obiding!

Spanky
28/05/2009 at 13:58

Now that, Emma, is a plan!

Millicent Reeves, Upper Caversham
28/05/2009 at 13:22

Yes, let's waste more taxpayers money giving these numpties some ground to show off their small willies - I mean cars!

What next, the council will have to provide specialist carparks for dogging!?!

Emma Royds
28/05/2009 at 12:59

You're pro-rave but anti-cruise then Hugh? Bit flip-flop, that, surely?

ormy
28/05/2009 at 12:37

I see a nice Audi has been put in the shot there... bit different from the chavvy death traps that are usually gathered there all nights of the week!

ems83
28/05/2009 at 12:35

By "Modified cars" I take it he means a Peugeot 106 with a baked bean can exhaust and a sub that takes up the whole boot so that everyone within a 3 mile radius can hear their stupidly awful music? These noisy chavs should all be given asbo's so that Reading's teenage pregnancy rate can decrease and the locals can get some sleep, and who knows - maybe even venture out for a Mcdonalds without getting mugged.

Hugh Janus, Reading
28/05/2009 at 11:15

For all the people who seem to think that young people with modified cars go around revving engines and causing a nuisance is completly wrong. I go up to this cruise all of the time and also go to Reading Gate on other days too. I have never seen anti-social behaviour except for the odd few who want to race. The absolute majority of these young people just want to show of their pride and joy and talk. This is a retail park, not a residential area and none of these people are there during opening times of the businesses.

I have never seen anything illegal happening up here and rarely see police, except for their little trip for a big mac meal! I am fed upi with people moaning about young people constantly. This is something that quite a few young adults enjoy and look forward to. I have been to other places closer to houses, who get thrills from doing donuts and hand brake turns! that hardly even happens up here!