Fresh fears have resurfaced at a business park taken over by noisy street car enthusiasts to perform stunts and tricks.

Several cases of anti-social driving in the Crossways Boulevard area in Greenhithe have been reported to police following complaints from residents.

Locals have become increasingly alarmed at the presence of "boy racers" close to where a man was killed on a pedestrian crossing three years ago by an uninsured motorist.

It comes after a noisy meeting of up to 200 vehicles was said to have taken place at the site in Quadrant Court, just off the Boulevard.

Drivers are reported to use the trading estate as their base at weekends before whizzing around the nearby streets and roundabouts.

At least 15 residents have written to Dartford council to outline their concerns, copying in Kent County councillor for Greenhithe, Peter Harman, and emailing police too.

He has been working alongside Penny Cole, KCC councillor for Dartford East, looking into the issue.

Cllr Harman said: "It is affecting 5,000 people so when our residents ask we look at the issue. I live nearby and I can hear them from well over half a mile away.

"Cars race around within the trading estate itself, as well as elsewhere within the town, causing the potential for a very serious accident.

"They are driving around late at night in the dark with no safety equipment – if they went to Brands Hatch it would be ideal."

It is a recurring issue for the KCC councillor who spoke out about the problem three years ago. He said it was worryingly similar to an incident on the Medway City Estate which led to a motorist ploughing into a group of pedestrians.

Cllr Harman added he felt the problem had worsened in recent weeks following the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to disperse car racing in nearby Thurrock.

He believes this has had a knock-on effect with motorists now coming over the Dartford Crossing to use Greenhithe, Swanscombe and Ebbsfleet as their playground.

And while he pointed out not all those attending such events were dangerous drivers, he added it would only take one or two for there to be a serious accident.

Stone parish councillor Lesley Howes, who represents the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents' Association, said some people were left frightened following a spate of what she understood to be "near misses".

She said: "There is great potential for loss of life and something needs to be done, rather than wait for someone to be killed."

The Castle Ward councillor added residents would feel more reassured if permanent speed cameras were put in place to catch culprits.

The increased presence of speeding motorists has prompted the councillors to formally request Dartford council introduces a PSPO at the trading estate.

They have also been in discussion with the police who they say are planning to approach the estate management regarding security and the possibility of fitting gates.

Police speed checks were put in place along the Boulevard last week.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has also intervened and said he would be setting up meetings with the Borough Commander and local councillors to ensure they "stamp out this selfish behaviour".

He said: "Local residents should not have to put up with this kind of behaviour involving up to 200 cars using part of Crossways Boulevard as if it were a race track.

"The dangers involved with this are obvious. I am pleased that Kent Police have now taken decisive action and issued dispersal orders and prosecuted some of those involved for driving offences.

"We are determined that local residents should not have to endure this kind of behaviour."

A statement from Dartford council said the authority was "fully aware of the nuisance that is being caused by the anti-social use of motor vehicles in and around the Crossways Boulevard".

It continued: "It is working very closely with Dartford’s Local Policing Team who are dedicating additional resources to the area and have taken action against a number of drivers.

"They have also met with landowners to discuss ways of increasing security at the locations where the vehicle meets have occurred.

"The council is currently considering a number of options to provide a longer term solution to the problem.

"In the mean-time, should residents witness any ASB of this nature, they should report it to Kent police through 101, their online recording facility, or 999 if it is an emergency."

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