New ‘noise cameras’ which will be triggered when drivers in cars with illegally too loud engines pass them are to be trialled in one specific location on the Avon Ring Road, Bristol Live can reveal.
The Government announced a number of locations around the country for the special ‘noise cameras’, and named Bristol as a location - but the camera will in fact be positioned in South Gloucestershire, not Bristol, to catch antisocial drivers on the A4174, after local Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore and two local councillors successfully bid to bring them to his constituency.
The new technology uses a video camera in conjunction with a number of microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles as they pass by. This means if drivers break the law by revving their engines unnecessarily or using illegal exhausts, they will be automatically detected.
Read more: "Noise camera" trials to detect rowdy drivers coming to Bristol
The camera takes a picture of the vehicle and records the noise level. This creates a digital package of evidence which can be used by local police to fine drivers.
Bristol Live can reveal that the cameras will be placed on a section of the A4174 dual carriageway between the Kingsfield roundabout - the one for Asda and the Longwell Green cinema and leisure centre and the Wraxall Road roundabout, the next one north for Cadbury Heath and Warmley Hill.
Cllrs Sam and Elizabeth Bromiley joined the Kingswood MP in asking for the cameras, as part of moves to clampdown on drivers using the A4174 Avon Ring Road as a racetrack. In the past they said they have worked closely with the police to increase surveillance of the road and catch offending drivers in the act.
“We are absolutely delighted that our area has been selected to be a part of this trial,” the councillor couple said. “For too long local residents have been plagued by inconsiderate and reckless drivers and cause disruption without a care and it is great that we are ensuring local police are getting the support they need to take appropriate action and keep our communities safe and peaceful,” they added.
Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore added: “As the local MP, I have been pleased to champion this bid in Westminster and it is fantastic to see it succeed. This is a result of continued positive work with South Gloucestershire Councillors and look forward to seeing the trial up and running. The more work we can do to deter antisocial behaviour in our communities, the more local people can enjoy our peaceful public and residential spaces unhindered.”
Announcing the trial, to see how effective the noise cameras will be, the Government said that the noise from noisy vehicles was extremely cost, as well as contributing to health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia. The annual social cost of urban road noise, including lost productivity from sleep disturbance and health costs is estimated to be up to £10 billion.
Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “Rowdy road drivers beware - these new cameras will help the police clampdown on those who break the legal noise limits or use illegal modified exhausts to make excessive noise in our communities.
"We’ll be working closely with the local authorities and police to share any findings, and I hope that this technology paves the way for quieter, peaceful streets across the country."
The Department launched a competition to identify the areas to host the cameras in April and extensive testing at a private test track facility took place to perfect the technology. Now in the next phase, the locations for these roadside trials have been decided based on the impact to local residents of illegal noisy vehicles, after MPs across the country applied for the camera to be set up in their local area.
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