Residents fear someone could be killed
Bickerstaffe in West Lancashire, where some of the dangerous driving has allegedly been taking place(Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)
There are fears two idyllic villages are becoming a haven for dangerous drivers. Last month, Merseyside Police attended the Rainford Bypass after receiving complaints that cars were “using the road as a racetrack”.
When officers arrived, they recorded a red Volkswagen driving at 135mph. The driver was stopped and the car was seized. Police also said the driver had been given a Section 59 warning recently.
Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 allows officers to stop and seize vehicles if they are driven in ways that could cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.
Since then, the ECHO has been told that behaviour is becoming increasingly common. Although the Bypass is a busy dual carriageway that connects St Helens to Ormskirk, it runs close to the small rural settlements of Rainford and Bickerstaffe.
Rainford is described by the parish council as “a picturesque, rural village with a rich agricultural and industrial heritage”. Bickerstaffe is similar, with a nature reserve, gothic church and two local pubs.
Residents have said people regularly travel at dangerous speeds on the Bypass over a five mile stretch from Bushey Lane in Rainford to the M58 roundabout, with some alleging groups of up to 100 people meet up before racing each other.
Merseyside Police seized a car on the Rainford Bypass last month after it was driven at 135mph(Image: Merseyside Police)
The road is on the border of Merseyside and Lancashire, with both police forces working to tackle the issue. Lynn Wilson, 63, is appalled by the speed of the cars travelling down the road.
Lynn said: “I actually witnessed it one late afternoon. A car came flying past me. Some weeks, this can take place most nights. I live by the junction and you can hear them racing at around 10pm to 11pm. It makes me laugh. You lie in bed wondering why it’s not being stopped.”
Kevin Ashcroft, who lives in Bikcerstaffe, said: “The Bypass and East Lancs Road is the quickest route for me going to work and back, but most mornings, I prefer to go through Billinge and Garswood because it’s mad on the Bypass and East Lancs.
“It’s the same in Bickerstaffe where I live. Bikers come past my bungalow along Church Road, and you would think that they are on the TT races. Some cars are the same. I’m surprised nobody has been killed in the three years I’ve lived here.”
Another resident, who did not want to be named, also fears about a major accident. She said there have been several occasions where large groups of young drivers have met up in Bikcerstaffe before racing each other.
She said: “Where we live seems to be where the people spectating the racing congregate. It’s a very quiet little row in Bickerstaffe.
Bushey Lane in Rainford(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“On several Sunday nights, we have been inundated by all of these cars arriving. People pile out and stand at the side while cars race each other on this stretch of Bypass from M58 roundabout to Bushey Lane.
“They drive really fast. I know the police had clocked one going over 100 miles an hour when the speed limit is 60.
“It’s got catastrophe written all over it. It’s not a racing track. Ordinary roads cut across the Bypass. If somebody were to cut across when this is happening, the chance of an accident is pretty high.
“I think some of the neighbours have spoken to the drivers but we’re elderly and don’t want to get involved.”
The junction of Ormskirk Road, Bushey Lane and the Rainford Bypass(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Rainford Parish Council are also alarmed by these issues. A parish council spokesperson told the ECHO: “We are aware of occasions when this has happened. The specific area where it takes place seems to be from the end of the Bypass up to the M58.
“We have been working with Merseyside Police but we’re limited in terms of what you can do. It doesn’t take place every week. I know of three occasions in the last 12 months where approximately 100 spectators have gathered to watch the racing. We’re not aware of it being a regular event.
“But it’s extremely dangerous. We know that the last time it happened there was a car stopped doing 135mph. We know that the police are monitoring the situation.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We ask that residents please report speeding in their area to the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership.
“We always take reports of speeding and anti-social driving seriously and will carry out speed checks and have patrols in areas where concerns are raised.” The link for reporting speeding can be found here.
Stuart McIver, Merseyside Police’s chief inspector for roads policing, said: “We would like to reassure residents that this stretch of road is one of many that we continually monitor and conduct regular speeding enforcement activities to ensure motorists drive within the speed limit.
“In the past year there has been no collision resulting in serious injury on that stretch of road. Preventative measures are in place, and it is an enforcement area which we actively monitor to prevent serious injury collisions from happening.”
Anyone with information on road traffic incidents has been asked to contact Merseyside Police’s social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via its website here, or call 101.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via its website here. In an emergency always call 999.