A SPECIAL camera temporarily deployed in the Fell Lane area of Keighley to detect noisy vehicles was activated more than 1,700 times, figures show.

The site was among just four across the UK chosen to be part of a trial.

Evidence was gathered of drivers hitting 95 decibels (dB) on roads with a speed limit of 50mph or less.

A prototype system was used, which meant drivers did not face prosecution.

Data reveals that between the autumn of 2022 and late winter 2023, the test site at Fell Lane recorded a total of 1,777 noise camera activations.

A post-trial independent report to the Government highlighting the effectiveness of the cameras is welcomed by Keighley MP Robbie Moore.

He is now urging the Government to take action.

Mr Moore says: “Many across the district are completely fed up of reckless drivers with loud exhausts and modified cars treating our roads like a racetrack.

“It’s happening day and night. It is putting innocent lives at risk, and needs to be stopped.

“These trials have shown how effective noise cameras can be.

“It is now critical that the new Government listens to the recommendations and moves forward with live enforcement operations.

“Given Keighley’s successful participation in the trials, our area must be at the forefront of these new operations, and I've written to the Government urging it to progress at pace.

“Alongside new technology, I fully support tougher fines, licence points and even vehicle seizures to send a clear message to these selfish individuals that they will be stopped.”

The Department for Transport said it keeps its policies to tackle anti-social behaviour under constant review.

Under current legislation, the maximum noise a car registered since 2016 can make on a public road is 72 dB, while the legal limit for vehicles registered after 2007 but before 2016 is 74 dB.

A series of other tests was undertaken during the trial to identify potential situations and driving styles that could affect the noise cameras’ performance, from an idling bus and sirens to hard acceleration and horns.

The report concluded: “Vehicle noise is a significant cause of noise pollution, particularly in urban environments. Excessively noisy vehicles lead to annoyance and complaints and this project sought to address this issue.

“Police and local authorities have powers to take action against excessively noisy vehicles, however, it is currently difficult to collect sufficient evidence for meaningful enforcement action."