The Jeremiah Gumbs Highway, where the Police occasionally chased away drag racers for illegally testing their vehicles, has now, after all, received the support of the Executive Council as a temporary site for the sporting activity. Thursday, January 15, 2015, has been set as the date when Council expects to be given an update on the matter.
EXCO, meeting on December 11, 2014, authorised the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to engage in further discussions with several interest groups. These comprise the Drag Racing Committee/Anguilla Motorsports Inc., the Royal Anguilla Police Force, the Emergency Services and other relevant stakeholders. They are required “to establish some agreed parameters for the holding of practice races, taking into account the issues outlined in EX MEM 14/461.”
Following EXCO’s December 11 meeting, EX MIN 14/786, stated: “[EXCO] supported the recommendation that the Jeremiah Gumbs Highway should be designated as a drag racing strip during particular times; and agreed that, following the outcome of further discussions and the preparation of drafting instructions, the Attorney General’s Chambers be authorised to prepare the necessary amendment to provide a mechanism for such a designation to be made from time to time.”
The decision of the Executive Council followed two public consultations on drag racing, taking into account the impact that the activity would have on the public. The first consultation was held at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. The event was attended by personnel from the Ministry and Department of Youth and Culture, politicians, and a large representation from the Drag Race Association (restyled Anguilla Motorsports Incorporated). There was general unanimity among the latter two groups for drag racing.
Among the views put forward by the proponents were that some mechanism should be put in place whereby drag racers could test drive their vehicles at least once per month; that the location should either be an appropriate public road or other area pending the actual development of a purpose-built drag racing site; that the Government should not be held liable in cases of accidents; and that consideration should be given to the provision of insurance and other safety matters including ambulance, police and fire services in the event of accidents.
The Jeremiah Gumbs Highway was constructed some years ago to provide access to a new housing development area on the south of Anguilla linking, in particular, Little Harbour, Lockrum and Blowing Point.
Drag racing has been a running issue for several years. It was first raised during the term of the former United Front Government. At that time, an area of land in the vicinity of the Corito landfill was deemed to be a suitable location for development. It is understood that such a site is still under consideration.
