LATE night traffic orders banning cars from entering certain streets has solved a problem with ‘boy racer’ meet ups in the city centre.

Hotels, residents and other businesses had complained repeatedly to police and council bosses about dozens of car enthusiasts gathering in the city streets, some revving engines, doing wheel spins and stunts and some racing their cars though the city centre roads.

On some weekends there could be as many as 50 cars gathered around Pitt Street and with passengers the number of people could top 100.

The businesses asked for a restriction order to make it an offence to enter certain streets at night to stop the gatherings.

Before the order was in place around 100 complaints a month were commonplace.

Afterwards the complaints dropped to single figures.

The so called ‘Toon Ring’ group would met with their cars ranging from souped-up sporty hatchbacks to top of the range Ferraris and Porches to show off their cars to fellow enthusiasts.

However the noise and disturbance led to businesses complaining it was having an effect on customers and trade.

Police said that in the main the people involved were law abiding but some would be breaking the law, including drink and drugs as well as motoring offences and causing noise nuisance to residents.

The traffic order affected a number of streets between 11pm and 4 am including West George Street, west of Pitt Street, Parts of Holland Street, Pit Street Douglas Street and West Regent Street.

The aim was to prevent the gatherings around the old Strathclyde Police Headquarters building on Pitt Street.

Chief Inspector Brian Gibson, area commander for the city centre said since the order the number of complaints has reduced and remained low.

He said: “It has been extremely effective, a shocking turnaround.

“We engaged with the individuals beforehand, giving warnings and explaining the issues and then put a number of officers out on patrol the following weekend when the orders came into effect.”

Police said the problems has not simply re-appeared in another location, although the motorists still drive around the city route known as the ‘toon ring’ circuit from Pitt Streets to Queen Street they are not gathering in one place.

The success of the traffic restrictions is noted in a police report to the safe Glasgow Group committee on Glasgow City Council.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “In response to complaints by various agencies and parties relating to anti-social behaviour within the Blythswood area, Glasgow City Council promoted an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to restrict vehicular access to sections of various roads in the area between the hours of 11pm and 4am.

“The ETRO, which came into force on 24 March 2017, will run for 18 months and is enforced by Police Scotland.”