Sowe Common car park hit by 'drug taking' and 'boy racers'

[dutchman]

Campaigners say that 'extreme speeds' are hit across the area



A demand has been made for action at a Coventry car park hit by drug takers and 'boy racers'. Locals say that Sowe Common car park has become a hotspot for crime - day and night.

They say that West Midlands Police and Coventry City Council need to take tough action on dealing with the level of drug taking and ‘boy racers’ for their safety. Campaigners also say that there are wider speeding issues in the area too.

To help force action, councillor Ed Ruane has launched an online petition that calls for safety measures on Shilton Lane, Lentons Lane, and Woodway Lane. This, the petition says, is 'due to the volume of high speeding traffic, particular note should be taken of the extreme speeds being reached by a minority over some years.'

The petition adds: "Speeding traffic along this route has resulted in several road traffic accidents, specifically in December 2021, December 2023 and now again in July 2025, resulting in a fatality.

"We, therefore call upon Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and West Midlands Police to prioritise resources and funding to ensure all appropriate road traffic safety measures are installed within the next three months.

"We request that West Midlands Police and Coventry City Council take tough action on dealing with the level of drug taking and ‘boy racers’ using Sowe Common car park during the day and night, for the safety and enjoyment of local residents.’

"Shilton Lane has sat on Coventry City Council's priority list for an Average Speed Camera for several years, without any action taken, even though several serious accidents have taken place on this route over recent years."

The petition runs until October 21 and can be found on the city council's website here