Since 2021 residents living near the Babraham Road Park and Ride in Cambridge have been subjected to recurring unauthorised car meets, often running late into the night. Over the last year these gatherings have increased in frequency and scale, with sometimes hundreds of vehicles including cars and motorcycles joining the site. What began as an occasional nuisance has evolved into a perpetual crisis.

This results in endless nights of disturbance from revving engines, vehicle horns blaring, backfiring exhaust noise and loud music. Constant sleep deprivation is causing chronic stress and affecting the mental health, professional lives, and the general well-being of local families.

A Growing Magnet for Antisocial Behaviour

The recent refurbishment of the Babraham Road site has inadvertently fuelled this problem. The installation of covered parking and enhanced lighting has turned a transport hub into an ideal "party" venue, attracting organised groups from far beyond Cambridge.

Besides the effect on the nearby residents’ mental health and wellbeing, we are seeing:

Safety Risks: The high-speed and often reckless manoeuvring of vehicles in a confined space poses a serious danger to drivers and the public. Similar unregulated driving has resulted in deaths of spectators in the UK in the last three years.
Environmental Impact: Significant litter is left behind, including food waste, cans, and used theatrical smoke grenades. Fumes and smoke are also generated from the ‘burnouts’ of tyres and revving engines.
Property Damage: Drifting, "donuts" and "burnouts" are ruining the newly resurfaced parking areas and have the potential to damage the canopy supporting structures.

The Strain on Police Resources

Currently, the response is entirely reactive. Residents are forced to call the police once a meet is already established, if they are able to get through. However, for an overstretched police force, dispersing hundreds of vehicles is difficult and can take hours to address, if they can attend at all. By the time police arrive, the damage to our peace and to the environment is already done.

Our Demand: Restrict Access from 7:00 PM

To restore peace to our community and protect public health and safety, we call upon the Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council in conjunction with Cambridgeshire County Council and relevant authorities to implement a firm closing time for vehicle entry.

We demand that vehicle access to the Babraham Park and Ride be restricted from 7:00 PM onwards.

Restricting access at 7 PM is a common-sense measure that:

Protects Public Health: Eliminates the toxic fumes and smoke generated by late-night "burnouts."
Deters the formation of meets: By closing the site early, organisers cannot establish a large presence before nighttime.
Preserve Taxpayer Infrastructure: Safeguard the recent refurbishments and reduce the costs of cleaning and repairs.
Support the Police: Reduce the burden on local authorities by preventing the nuisance before it starts.
Restores Quality of Life: Ensures that residents can breathe clean air and enjoy their evenings without the threat of noise pollution.

Support Our Community

Please sign this petition to help us reclaim our right to a peaceful night’s sleep. Your support is vital in urging the Councils to take immediate, common-sense action to protect our neighbourhood and safeguard our well-being.

Thank you for your support!