Concerns raised over ‘street racing’ after six-vehicle crash on Fen Road

A Cambridge resident has spoken of the “miracle” that no-one was injured in multi-vehicle crash on Fen Road last night (Tuesday, April 24).

Police were called to the six-vehicle accident at around 7.30pm along with fire and ambulance vehicles. One person suffered minor injuries.

Resident Carla McQueen, who lives just off Fen Road, arrived on the scene shortly after the accident. “It’s a miracle no pedestrians or cyclists were seriously hurt but there is severe damage to the cars of several residents and to a wall,” she said.

She continued: “I spoke to several residents who were very shaken up. There had been street racing down the road since the late afternoon.

“One person who saw it happen told me two cars were racing each other down Fen Road at very high speeds towards Water Lane, one hit a car coming the other way which caused a pile up and then slammed into the wall of the house next to the parking bays before smashing into the parked cars in the parking bay by the river.

“What will it take for us to get real and sustained action to tackle this dangerous driving? This road is going to see even more pedestrians and cyclists using it as a route to the new railway station once the new bridge across the River Cam is built and it just doesn’t feel safe. It feels like a tragedy waiting to happen.”

Police say that although there has been positive action taken in the past, “it is evident that more must be done”.

Councillor Gerri Bird added: “This is exactly what residents and ward councillors have been saying was bound to happen for months because of the dangerous and anti-social driving that has been happening in Fen Road, Green End Road and the High Street. Cars are racing each other down the road at high speed or mounting the pavements to overtake other drivers at speed on a daily basis. Less than a month ago we held a meeting about the anti-social behaviour and dangerous driving and couldn’t even get the police to come.”

Councillor Bird added: “Since then I’ve managed to get the police and crime commissioner, Jason Ablewhite, to agree to meet with myself as ward councillor and some residents of the area but this shocking incident tonight just drives home how we need immediate and urgent action to address this from the police.”

Chief Inspector Steve Kerridge said: “Investigations are under way and although thankfully no-one was seriously injured this could have been a different story.

“The issue of excessive speed and anti-social use of vehicles in Fen Road and adjacent streets has been discussed through local area committees with residents and councillors over a period of some time. The matter has been a neighbourhood priority in the past and there have been periods of vehicle seizures, prosecutions and positive actions by ourselves and the local authorities. However, it is evident that more must be done here.

“Community officers are back in Fen Road today speaking with local residents about their concerns.

“Where details are provided of vehicles involved in high risk acts such as these, wherever possible we will seek to engage the registered owners if vehicles are registered to traceable individuals and help form an intelligence picture. We have to be realistic about retrospective prosecutions where there is little opportunity to form a case to a standard where there would be any prospect of conviction.

“Whilst physical police presence or speed monitoring measures in the past have resulted in compliance with speed restrictions and safe driving during those periods, these are not permanent, sustainable measures which we can supply.

“It is evident that more must be done here concerning sustainable actions and consideration of the physical location and features, therefore we will be working with the local authority to discuss what suitable measures can be put in place.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.