Boy racers have painted a 'burn out box' on a residential Norwich road, prompting complaints about street racing in the area.

Eastern Daily Press: Britannia Road, Norwich.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAYBritannia Road, Norwich.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY

People living on Britannia Road say young drivers regularly congregate at the car park near Norwich Prison and race each other.

But in the past few days they have spray painted a yellow box on the road, which residents claim is used as a makeshift starting grid.

A 68-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named, said she had seen drivers reach speeds of 60mph down Britannia Road.

'They start at the yellow box and roar down the road, it is like a race track,' she said.

Eastern Daily Press: Britannia Road, Norwich.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAYBritannia Road, Norwich.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY

'But they don't have any respect for the people living here and they don't seem to be afraid of anyone.

'It is just not safe.'

Norfolk Police confirmed there had been complaints about vehicles in the area. It even led to officers seizing a Mazda MX-5.

The woman said the noise from the drivers usually begins most evenings at around 8pm.

Eastern Daily Press: It is believed the vehicle was moved from the car park opposite Cafe Britannia. Photo: Peter DunnIt is believed the vehicle was moved from the car park opposite Cafe Britannia. Photo: Peter Dunn (Image: Archant)

She claimed it can last until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

'The car park is a bit of a meeting place for young people, which we don't mind,' she said.

'But it is the behaviour that goes with it. That is the problem.'

Earlier this month police were called to Britannia Road after a van was moved from the car park and set alight.

Inspector Dan Cocks from Norfolk Police said there had been a number of 'vehicle-related complaints' about Britannia Road.

He said: 'This has led to drivers being spoken to and, in one case, a vehicle being seized.

'Where people are found to be committing offences they will be dealt with accordingly and drivers should be warned that anyone found repeatedly using their vehicle in a way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance will have it seized under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002.'

He said local beat manager Ash Parker will be targeting the area in the coming weeks, with support from response teams and the roads policing unit.

The yellow painted box is covered with tyre marks, which residents say is from the driver wheel spinning.

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said the authority was investigating how the paint can be removed from the road.

The spokesman added: 'In the meantime the paint will wear off gradually through road use.'