A roads minister visited Great Yarmouth seafront to see the area's new noise-activated camera designed to catch irresponsible drivers.

The new technology - which is part of a £300,000 national trial to track noisy drivers - uses microphones and video cameras to identify offending vehicles.

Eastern Daily Press: The distinctive microphone on the noise-activated camera on South Beach Parade.The distinctive microphone on the noise-activated camera on South Beach Parade. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Based on St Nicholas car park on South Beach Parade, the technology consists of one camera near the top of a CCTV stand with a large microphone underneath.

When activated by loud noises, the microphone will activate two motion cameras further down the stand. 

The seafront is known for its 'Jetty Boys' car enthusiasts.

MP Richard Holden, the parliamentary undersecretary for roads and local transport, visited the site of the new camera today (December 1).

Eastern Daily Press: Parliamentary under secretary for roads and local transport Richard Holden in Great Yarmouth.Parliamentary under secretary for roads and local transport Richard Holden in Great Yarmouth. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Holden said: "We've got this big issue around noise in so many of our towns and villages across the country, particularly from boom-boom boys and souped-up cars with drills through their exhausts causing real problems for residents.

"Residents can't keep their doors and windows open in the summer because of the noise. 

"All we want to do is get to a situation where everyone can enjoy places like Great Yarmouth all year round.

"This will hopefully supply some evidence so where there are hotspots, we can tackle them and deal with people effectively."

Eastern Daily Press: The new noise camera on South Beach Parade.The new noise camera on South Beach Parade. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Holden said noise pollution caused graver issues than just annoyance - it is known to contribute to health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia.

"Noise pollution is a real issue," he said. "It does have a knock-on effect and we all need to be conscious of that.

"I don't want to stop enthusiasts from having a good time, but it's quite clear from residents that the Jetty Boys do cause a lot of annoyance to people. 

"There's got to be a balance there.

"And if you are breaking the law by having a drilled-through exhaust, or if your car is causing huge amounts of noise, then you should be prosecuted."

The camera means that if drivers break the law by revving their engines unnecessarily or using illegal exhausts, they will be automatically detected.

The camera takes a picture of the vehicle and records the noise level to create a digital package of evidence that can be used by local police to fine drivers.

Eastern Daily Press: Deputy leader for GYBC Penny Carpenter, parliamentary under secretary for roads and local transport Richard Holden.Deputy leader for GYBC Penny Carpenter, parliamentary under secretary for roads and local transport Richard Holden. (Image: Denise Bradley)

During the trial, punitive measures cannot be given if an offending driver is only caught by the camera.

But the camera records offending noisy vehicles and that data can be used to amend legislature around antisocial driving.

Deputy leader for Great Yarmouth Borough Council Penny Carpenter said the camera is a "fantastic idea".

"The effect of anti-social behaviour on our residents and tourism economy is something we have been keen to deal with," she said. 

"Noise pollution can severely affect people's health and wellbeing - I think noise pollution is just as bad as smoke pollution.

"While this is only a trial, I hope it is successful and can be rolled out across the country."

Eastern Daily Press: Great Yarmouth seafront is a popular destination for car enthusiasts.Great Yarmouth seafront is a popular destination for car enthusiasts. (Image: Archant)

Car enthusiast Sam Docwra attends meetings on Great Yarmouth seafront and said he thinks the noise camera is a waste of money.

"I understand it may be annoying for residents sometimes," he said. "But the police are there with their notepads and camera van anyway.

"I don’t know why they need to waste money on this."

Eastern Daily Press: Sgt Dan Smith on great Yarmouth seafront.Sgt Dan Smith on great Yarmouth seafront. (Image: Denise Bradley.)

Sgt Dan Smith, operational partnership sergeant in Great Yarmouth, said the new technology is another resource to the police's efforts to crack down on antisocial drivers.

"Being part of this trial will help us police the noise aspect," he said.

"One day we might have this technology where instead of having a police officer standing with a microphone and measuring the noise from an exhaust pipe, we can have something automated to do that which will help and support residents having a peaceful night's sleep."

The trial launched last month in Keighley, Bradford and then moved to a site near Bristol, in South Gloucestershire. After Great Yarmouth, the camera will be heading to Birmingham.