Drivers who rev their engines and cause other noise nuisance could face fines as part of a crackdown on boy racers and supercars in Cheshire.
A noise-activated camera is set to be introduced at a roundabout on the A34 Pendleton Way, between Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, later this month. The scheme is being trialled following complaints about noisy anti-social motorists on the busy bypass.
The camera, which is being funded by Cheshire East Council, will be installed around the Whitehall Bridge roundabout, which is reported to be among the main hotspots. The device can record all noise above an "acceptable level" and identify the responsible vehicles, allowing the police and council to take action against drivers.
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Coun Craig Browne, chair of Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee, and deputy leader of the council, said: “This is excellent news both for residents and the safety of road users – and something this council fully supports. This pilot scheme is another good example of our successful partnership working, with the police and the police and crime commissioner, to resolve this issue of anti-social and often reckless and dangerous driving in the area.
“This proactive, collaborative approach will complement the planned installation of the 20mph zone and traffic calming measures in Alderley Edge, scheduled for the new year, to tackle the recognised nuisance and risks faced by local residents.
“For context, 1,342 residents responded to a community survey carried out by the council’s anti-social behaviour team back in the summer of 2020, which I understand was the highest response we had ever had to such a survey. These two projects are a big win for Cheshire East Council, the police and the local communities.”
John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “ Making Cheshire’s roads safer is a priority in my police and crime plan, so I’m pleased to have been able to fund an acoustic camera along the A34 to try and tackle inconsiderate driving that is having an impact on local residents. I know how frustrating these issues are and it’s because of the strength of feeling at my public meeting last year that, together with the constabulary and council, we’ve kept this issue firmly on our agenda.
“The data we get from this trial will inform how we tackle this issue going forward. I am eager to see the difference this camera trial could make both now and in the future.”
Should the trial prove a success, council bosses say the acoustic camera could be made permanent. Cheshire Constabulary says it has also stepped up enforcement action along the A34, including using mobile cameras to catch speeding cars and putting dispersal orders in place.
Cheshire police Inspector Andy Baker said: “It’s great that we are getting this funding from the police and crime commissioner to try and tackle anti-social driving in the Wilmslow area. We have identified the hotspots of where car meets and anti-social behaviour driving is taking place and we aim to crack down on the offences in the area, for the safety of the drivers and other members of the public in the area.
“There can be serious consequences from car meets and anti-social driving, so if we can prevent it from happening, then my officers are doing their job to keep the people of Cheshire safe in Wilmslow.”
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