POLICE and council chiefs are considering a radical plan to close off Blackwood High Street to put an end to the car cruiser menace.

The Argus has seen a copy of a confidential report, discussed by Blackwood's town centre management group on Wednesday, that suggests closing the town to traffic at night to crack down on car cruisers who bring misery to residents.

Under the plans High Street would be closed from 7pm to 4am as and when required.

Signs would be placed at either end of the street to tell motorists of the closure, enforced by police officers on site.

There would be exceptions for disabled drivers, taxis, buses and service vehicles.

Blackwood has attracted a large number of boy racers for almost 25 years, who gather in car parks and tear up and down High Street, causing a nuisance to residents.

Between winter 2006 and spring 2007 Gwent Police carried out an enforcement campaign and more than 300 people were dealt with for various offences.

A Dispersal Notice came into force in October 2007 and ends next month.

So far 227 cars and 583 people have been dispersed, and there have been three arrests for people returning to the location after being dispersed.

Gwent Police asked Caerphilly council to consider the new proposals to tackle the hard core of around 40 offenders who persist in causing problems.

Road block won't solve problem The new proposals will go out to public consultation before a final decision by the council, but some Blackwood residents are not happy.

Campaigner Albert Wilson, 61, of Bloomfield Road, said: "This will just move the problem to other areas of town.

"It can be stopped easily by giving police extra powers to impound the cars."

Patricia Lambeth, 60, of Garfield Street, said: "Innocent people who want to drive through the town centre at night will be unfairly penalised. It's infringing our rights. The police need more money, powers and resources to combat the problem."

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said it would push car cruisers into residential areas, and called for a detailed consultation.