RUBERY has been chosen to pilot a revolutionary new scheme aimed at clamping down on boy racers and drivers who modify their cars and rev their engines.
The new technology uses a video camera and a number of microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles as they pass by.
The camera, designed and developed by MicrodB, takes a picture of the vehicle and identifies it using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and records the noise level.
The equipment then creates a digital package of evidence which police can use to fine drivers or issue Section 59 orders.
Motorists with Section 59s have their car seized if caught for the same offence within 12 months.
The trials are part of a £300,000 government-backed nationwide trial to clampdown on anti-social driving and tackle noise pollution on some of Britain’s loudest streets.
A competition was held in April to identify the trial areas and both Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid and Rubery councillor Adrian Kriss put the village forward.
Rubery is one of just four areas, along with Bradford, South Gloucestershire and Great Yarmouth and the only place in the Midlands to have been chosen.
Coun Kriss said: “I have been working on this for a long time and it’s great it has been pushed through.
“People say Rubery is always getting left out but we’re among the first in the UK to have this.
“I receive a lot of complaints about these cars and this will be welcomed by residents and business owners.”
“Some of the cars are so noisy going down New Road, making residents’ lives a misery and scaring elderly people.
Mr Javid said: “I’m delighted Bromsgrove District has been selected for this trial.
“Quieter roads will no-doubt promote the health and well-being of the community whilst helping to secure our roads against unsafe and anti-social driving.”
Road noise is known to contribute to health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia.
The scheme’s technical consultant Atkins-Jacobs Joint Venture has provided acoustics expertise, design, modelling and asset management.
The research’s findings will be analysed and published and, if successful, the cameras will be rolled out nationwide.
