Shopping, it's what East Kilbride is famous for

TOWN centre bosses are fuming after Scotland’s biggest car cruise roared into the shopping centre and caused traffic chaos.
 
Up to 800 souped-up motors squeezed into the 650-capacity Olympia car park last Wednesday evening for an “impromptu” EK Cruise car rally.
 

The normally trouble-free event – which attracts petrol-heads from all over the country – was the biggest to date, but brought mayhem to the town centre for the first time in its four year history.
 
Shoppers, cinema-goers, bus and taxi drivers were caught up in huge tailbacks along the Queensway as a convoy of turbo-charged gas guzzlers completely blocked the Murray roundabout for more than five hours.
 
Increased anti-social behaviour, fighting and urinating in the street were also reported.
East Kilbride centre management say they are now putting the brakes on the ever-expanding event before it gets out of control.
 
Centre director, Andy Bradley, said: “Unfortunately we were not notified by the EK Cruise of this latest rally, which makes it impossible for us to work with them.
 
“We found out about last Wednesday’s rally only by monitoring their website.
 
“Despite police presence, the behaviour of some of those attending was completely unacceptable and we are now working closely with the police.
 
“It is essential that we keep our car parks open for the benefit of all our customers and retailers.
 

“We would like to assure everyone that the type of behaviour displayed on Wednesday will not be tolerated now or at any point in the future.”
 
A convoy of car enthusiasts meet at the town centre car park every few months for the EK Cruise, organised predominantly through the internet.
 
Souped-up motors park up or cruise around the car park while people socialise, show off their cars and admire others.
 
EK Cruise organiser Mark Grimley hit back at the allegations.
He said: “We can’t predict how many people show up and we always give plenty of notice.
 
“Traffic is something we need to work on but we did our best to control the situation.
 
“Fights were down to daft local neds and not associated with us at all. Anyone who was causing a nuisance was told to leave.
 
“Many people gave their custom to the shops in the town centre during the cruise so we would qualify as customers.
 
He added: “We like having the cruise in an underground car park so we wouldn’t want to have to find another site.”
 
Sergeant Stuart Cluckie, of East Kilbride police, said: “They caused major traffic congestion and tied up a large part of our force with traffic control duties for over five hours.
 
“This was a major drain on police resources. Olympia car park has a small access route and is not suitable for that number of vehicles.
 
“We will have to work with them and find a different venue if they want to stage future events. It will suit all parties.”