Cheddar Gorge call to lower speed limit to tackle 'boy racers'

Some drivers race as fast as they can through the gorge

People living near Cheddar Gorge have called for the speed limit on the main road through it to be reduced, to stop so-called "boy racers".

Some drivers taking part in gatherings of car enthusiasts, which regularly take place on Sunday evenings, race up Cliff Road which has a 60 mph limit.

Local residents have said they are worried someone could be killed or seriously injured on the B3135.

Somerset County Council said it had no plans to reduce the speed limit.

Christina Brown, chair of Cheddar Parish Council, said drivers racing on the road can be a "big problem".

Local residents say car enthusiasts often gather in Cheddar Gorge

"We do know there are websites with times for [fastest] speed up the gorge posted. If people are trying to do a time trial, sooner or later someone is going to come unstuck.

"There is going to be someone innocent driving down the gorge on their way home. They will be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Ideally we would like a permanent speed reduction in the gorge. It will give the police more powers to stop the racing element."

One driver told the BBC said he could not see a problem with car owners congregating in the gorge.

"No-one is causing any harm, no-one is littering, no-one is doing burn-outs or doing donuts.

There are calls for the speed limit to be reduced

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said it had no powers to stop such events taking place.

"A meeting held over a year ago with key partners to discuss the issue concluded that this is an antisocial behaviour matter, and did not identify any action that Highways could take to reduce this.

"There are no current plans to reduce the speed limit along the B3135 through Cheddar Gorge.

Chief Insp Paul Mogg, from Avon and Somerset Police, said four "direction to leave notices for anti-social driving/speeding" were handed out on Sunday.

He added: "We are also in discussions with Cheddar Caves and Longleat Estates regarding them installing various traffic calming devices in place in their car parks."