Brazen racers ‘hit 100mph’ on city road as shock scene dubbed ‘Fast and Furious in Saltley’

Shocking footage captures the moment dangerous drag racers "hit 100mph" on a major city road, causing terror for drivers and nearby rail workers. The extraordinary footage, shared with BirminghamLive[1] by a night-time rail worker, shows high-powered and adapted vehicles shooting down the A47, a key route through Birmingham.

The rail worker, who spoke to us anonymously, said in the early of Sunday morning, January 7, dozens of defiant drivers descended on the busy stretch to clock up terrifying speeds. The illegal cruising event took place on the A47 stretch from the Aston Church Road island to Saltley Viaduct[2], but happens on most weekends, the worker said.

BirminghamLive showed West Midlands Police the footage, who confirmed officers are investigating and that the force is "committed to tackling street cruising." But the rail worker told us the shameful antics of drivers last Sunday took place for around 40 minutes with complete disregard for public safety or the law.

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'They had people at look out points'

"[Racing] typically starts at 1am" the rail worker stated. "At 1am it just suddenly started. There were upwards of 20 to 30 cars, SUVs, little sports cars."

The video, which runs for more than a minute, shows dozens of drivers tearing down the key route, turning the Birmingham carriageway into a race-track. At one point a parade of souped-up cars, including Audis, BMWs and Vauxhalls, shoot around the roundabout and return on the opposite side.

"They were breaking 100mph," the worker said. "They had people stand at look out points. Two cars just stopped in the middle of the road so they could drag race. A delivery driver got stuck.

Shocking footage captures the moment dangerous drag racers hit 100mph on a major city road, causing terror for drivers and nearby rail workers on the A47 on January 7

"If police had have turned up they could have trapped about 20 to 30 cars. The noise and the speed is incredible" explained the night-time worker. Footage shared by him shows the sheer level of danger brass-necked drivers exposed the public to.

The worker added that sometimes police will turn up and shut the road off, but this incident went on for a "prolonged period." "I have never known it it to go on for so long" he explained.

"[This was a] huge number of people with disregard for law and order. This was very cleverly planned. " Describing the incident as "fast and noisy" he explained: "It's getting worse. That's the worst that I have come across, usually the police will send someone around in 10 minutes. I am sure there were terrified drivers.

'Like Fast and Furious - in Saltley'

"It was like Fast and Furious, just in Saltley." The worker, who was attending to rail lines adjacent to the A47, said traffic officers have previously arrived "within 10 to 15 minutes." BirminghamLive showed the footage to West Midlands Police who said they are investigating.

A West Midlands Police[5] spokesperson told BirminghamLive: "We’re aware of the footage and it’s being reviewed by officers from our Operation Hercules team. We’re committed to tackling street cruising in the West Midlands, and injunctions are in place meaning that anyone breaching them are in contempt of court and can be jailed.

Speeding drivers race eachother on the A47 in Birmingham. Footage, captured in the early hours of January 7, shows a parade of drivers tear round the roundabout and speed back down the route on the opposite side (pictured)

"We carry out patrols and intelligence-led operations at hotspots, and work closely with partners on identifying, disrupting and enforcing against those taking part or observing illegal street racing.

"Not only does it cause misery for residents, but it has sadly proved to have fatal consequences in the past.We’d encourage anyone with information about street racing to get in touch with us via Live Chat or 101, or 999 if you think there’s an imminent risk to life."

References

  1. ^ BirminghamLive (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  2. ^ to Saltley Viaduct (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  3. ^ Hardworking mum's Ford Fiesta stolen from outside house after she bought it as birthday present (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  4. ^ No ads, unlimited articles & more with BirminghamLive Premium. Claim your offer now. 12 MONTHS FOR £12 (birminghammailreplica.page.link)
  5. ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)

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