The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has obtained a High Court injunction to clamp down on late-night car meets, effective between 6pm and 7am. The order specifically targets the Brompton and Hans Town ward, including Exhibition Road, an area significantly affected by nuisance driving.
What the Injunction Prohibits
The injunction makes it illegal to participate in car meets involving dangerous or obstructive driving. It also bans attending such gatherings, as well as organising or promoting them. Breaching the order can lead to arrest, fines, or imprisonment.
Council and Police Collaboration
The council worked with the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council to secure the injunction. Councillor Johnny Thalassites, lead member for resident services, planning, and enforcement, stated: “Car meets and street cruising are not just harmless fun. They bring noise, disruption and danger to residential areas and show a complete disregard for residents who should not have to put up with their roads being used as racetracks. We pursued this injunction to give the police and council much stronger powers to act quickly and decisively, and the message for anyone coming to Kensington and Chelsea to race, rev engines or cause a nuisance is clear – we won’t tolerate it and you risk arrest, fines or even imprisonment.”
Business Community Support
Steven Medway, CEO of the Knightsbridge Partnership, welcomed the move: “This is a very welcome step for everyone who lives, works, visits and does business in this part of London. Our businesses work hard to make this a vibrant and attractive destination, and residents and visitors alike deserve to move around without having to experience the noise, intimidation and dangerous driving that car meets can bring. We strongly support action that gives the police and councils tougher powers to deal with this behaviour and helps keep the area safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
Impact on Residents
The injunction aims to protect residents from excessive noise, disruption, and dangerous driving that often accompanies late-night car meets. The council hopes the stronger powers will deter offenders and improve quality of life in affected areas.
