Every summer some of London’s most exclusive streets are turned into “race tracks” as millionaires roar around in supercars.
But the latest technology could help end the misery of residents who have to put up with the deafening sound of revving engines.
Kensington and Chelsea council wants the Government to install a new generation of “acoustic cameras” that will identify — and deter — drivers of noisy Lamborghinis, McLarens and other supercars.
The problem is particularly acute in summer when Middle Eastern millionaires bring their fleets to London. Rows of the vehicles, including Bentleys and Rolls Royce Phantoms, attract car spotters who come to take selfies.
Fines of up to £1,000 for noisy drivers introduced in 2015 have not been enough to deter them despite the council handing out 148 to owners.
Kensington and Chelsea councillor Johnny Thalassites said the situation is reaching “crisis point”. He has written to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps this week asking for the area to be included in a UK trial of the cameras, after a boy racer crashed into and wrote off several luxury cars in Moore Street, Chelsea. Mr Thalassites said: “Powerful cars need careful handling and, unfortunately, our borough has seen and heard how certain drivers mistake our streets for a car show. This has been going on for years and it’s reaching crisis point.
“Acoustic cameras would give us a powerful new tool to catch drivers flouting the rules of the road.”
The councillor said the local authority regularly hears from residents whose lives are “blighted” by the vehicles. He said drivers use high-performance supercars in race mode and rev them while stationary in busy areas.
The Department for Transport said in June that it will start testing noise-detecting cameras over the next seven months. They are similar to normal speed cameras but have microphones that can detect vehicles breaching legal noise limits.
If a car exceeds 74 decibels the camera takes photos of the registration number and a fine is sent to the owner. This may come down to 68dB by 2026 if the Vehicle Certification Agency decides to mirror EU legislation.
