A senior road policing officer has rubbished reports that a dual carriageway near Chelmsford is being used as an unofficial race track.

Chelmsford Road Policing Inspector Martin Mueller said he was unaware of modified cars being raced along the A130 between Chelmsford and the Rettondon Turpike as reported in a national newspaper on Sunday.

He instead highlighted reckless motorcyclists as the bigger problem and said a small minority were known to use the county's roads as 'speed tracks'.

After 12 motorcyclist deaths in Essex this year the force has started a zero tolerance campaign and will be prosecuting riders for the slightest infringement in a bid to stop them harassing other road users.

Insp Mueller said: "Cars racing along the A130 is not something that has been identified to me and is not something my officers have identified.

"We are committed to reducing the killed or seriously injured accidents on the roads and there are a small minority that do continue to flout the road traffic legislation."

Motorcyclists are set to be prosecuted for minor infringements such as small sized number plates as well as dangerous or reckless driving.

"This is not about persecuting motorcyclists, we want them to enjoy the county's roads, especially with the fine weather we're having at the moment. However we will not tolerate those who think our roads are their speed tracks."

Published Wednesday June 30, 2004

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