THE borough council's bid to have ‘noise cameras’ installed in Basingstoke to tackle the problem of anti-social drivers has been rejected. 

As previously reported, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council bid to the Secretary of State for Transport to become a pilot area for new anti-nuisance cameras as part of efforts to reduce excessive vehicle noise and anti-social behaviour associated with unauthorised car meets.

READ MORE: Basingstoke council asks to trial new 'noise cameras' to tackle antisocial drivers

However, the council has since had a response to say it is not able to be part of the noise camera technology trial and it will now have to wait for the results of the pilot before a decision is made to roll out the cameras nationally.

The cameras are designed to identify and track drivers who break the law by excessively revving their engines and using modified exhausts.

The technology involves using a camera and several microphones to detect noisy vehicles.

The camera records an image of the vehicle and its noise level, creating evidence that can be used by police to issue fines. 

Last year the government announced trials of the new road cameras and the borough council was hoping to be included in the pilot to help tackle issues identified locally, particularly in Black Dam where residents have complained about excessive road noise from the Ringway South.

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The borough council’s cabinet member for communities, partnerships and inclusion, Cllr John Mckay, is hoping the pilot will lead to the cameras rolled out nationally, adding: “We want to see this technology rolled out because we recognise the difference it could make to tackling the antisocial behaviour issues we see from a minority of people using local roads as a racetrack.

“We will continue to work with partners including the police, private businesses and landowners to collectively tackle vehicle related nuisance within the borough.”

He added: “A question about excessive vehicle noise and antisocial behaviour was asked of the cabinet and we were willing to participate in the government trial.”

Basingstoke MP Maria Miller has also been working to tackle the problems of antisocial car meets in Basingstoke.

She met with Chief Inspector Scott Johnson to discuss the police’s strategy to combat noisy, illegal and disruptive dangerous driving.

She said: “Over the summer, it was concerning to hear about reports of dangerous driving across the town. These have included people congregating in car parks to perform tricks such as doughnuts, drivers drifting around roundabouts and speeding along the Ring Road.

“Since the pandemic, up and down the country there has been a spike in this kind of dangerous driving which, on a number of occasions, has tragically led to fatalities.

“Thankfully no one has been injured in Basingstoke, but the same cannot be said for everywhere in Hampshire. Before something happens in our community, the message must be clear – Basingstoke’s roads are not racetracks and our car parks are not stunt circuits.”

Mrs Miller was advised that the police are taking a “firm line” on the issue, working with landowners and the borough council to secure areas such as car parks which have been used for these activities, as well as having regular patrol cars on the streets and analysing CCTV footage for dangerous driving or illegal car meets.

She added: “As a result of this, in recent months numerous police notices have been sent to those responsible. Additional resources have been allocated to aid these efforts, including the provision of a new £1,700 mobile speed camera. In concert, these measures and prosecutions will convince dangerous drivers that they are not welcome in Basingstoke.

“Chief Inspector Johnson made it absolutely plain; if you engage in this reckless behaviour in Basingstoke, you should expect to be caught and charged. Quite rightly, Basingstoke is taking a zero tolerance approach.”

Hampshire Constabulary has been asked for a comment. 

Residents experiencing vehicle nuisance are advised to call 101 or report online at hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/.