Traffic rules set out to curb 'dangerous' car meets

The roundabouts near the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station are used for car meets

New traffic rules are being considered to disrupt "dangerous" car meets near a Nottinghamshire power station.

Large groups of cars have been gathering near the site, located off the A453 in Ratcliffe-on-Soar.

Police have warned that drivers have met to watch high-speed manoeuvres on roundabouts connecting the power station to the highway.

Nottinghamshire County Council will now ask the public whether cars should be banned from stopping on part of the road in a bid to curb the events.

Plans show ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras would be used to monitor the "red route" - banning cars from stopping on areas of the road.

It would include the three roundabouts to the south of the power station, as well as the bridge inspection area, which is used as a viewing gallery.

Vehicles 'dangerously' parked

A council report said that the plans would not affect any road users except those attending the car meets.

“These events cause danger to the participants, the spectators, as well as members of the public using the highway at the same time," the report said.

“Events consist of many vehicles dangerously and obstructively parking on the carriageway with the occupants spectating whilst other vehicles take turns at manoeuvring around the roundabouts, often at speed.

"Other spectators also gather on the roadside and in the bridge inspection area.”

Nottinghamshire Police and Uniper Energy, which operates the power station, both backed the measures, and the power company had promised to fund the move, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council's cabinet member for environment and transport, Neil Clarke, approved plans for a consultation to take place last week.

The power station is due to stop operation next month, with the site set to become the East Midlands Freeport.

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