Falkirk Cruise ‘benefits’ area’s businesses, claims car enthusiast

Paul Young (21) has denied the monthly Falkirk Cruise events are the root cause of the problems which one pensioner says have driven her to the breaking point.

Last week The Falkirk Herald told how a 70-year-old Camelon woman was forced to take anti-depressants and sleeping tablets just to cope with the noise of the meet-ups at the car park of The Falkirk Wheel.

The pensioner, who wishes to remain anonymous, also revealed she was told by a Cruise member she risked having her head “kicked in” when she complained about the behaviour of those in attendance, which she says has included public urination and littering.

However, those claims have been refuted by Grangemouth resident Paul who insists the Falkirk Cruise actually supports the area due to the high number of people its meetings attract.

The ‘boy racer’ tag which has become associated with these events is one that, according to Paul, is now “outdated”.

The delivery driver, who has been a Cruise member for three years, said: “Through being there, I can understand the noise complaints but I think a lot of complaints recently have been to do with people sitting there during the week and weekends.

“It’s not Cruise-related. I think a lot of complaints have been due to people sitting there when the Cruise isn’t on.

“The Cruise probably benefits quite a lot of local businesses.

“You’ve got about 200 cars showing up, but they might have passengers, and they all need to eat and get fuel so they use the local services.

“The woman claimed people had urinated in her garden. That car park is quite a bit away from houses — you would need to go across the railway.

“It just seems a bit far-fetched. I don’t think it’s Cruise-related.

“The car park can be busy at night regardless of if the Cruise is on or not.

“Even calling people boy racers is outdated, I would say car enthusiasts.

“There’s just a negative image against people who are into cars.”

Residents of Camelon and Bonnybridge have long been calling for a barrier to be installed at the tourist attraction to prevent the meetings from taking place.

However, Falkirk Council last week confirmed such a move wouldn’t be feasible.

A spokesman for the local authority said: “A barrier would not be practical to deal with anti-social behaviour as there may be vehicles in the car park after the barrier is closed who wish to leave.”

Signage has since been put up to prohibit vehicles from entering the car park between 9pm and 6am.

Chief Inspector Chris Stewart, of Falkirk Police Station, added: “Officers patrol this area on a regular basis and will take appropriate enforcement action if any offences are detected.

“This includes road traffic offences and the use of anti-social behaviour legislation specific to vehicles.”