Plymouth MP Luke Pollard has urged the government to include the Barbican in its new noise camera pilot scheme, to take action against excessively loud vehicles in the city.
The government is considering four locations across England and Wales for a pilot of the new technology. The cameras detect vehicles flouting legal noise limits – either by revving excessively or using illegally modified exhausts – to help police issue fines under existing law.
Noise pollution from illegally modified vehicles is a source of great distress for many communities across Plymouth and can have serious impacts on mental and physical health.
In May, Luke asked on his Facebook page for Plymothians to share their suggestions for where a noise camera is most needed, and there was clear support for the Barbican. The roads around the Barbican are well-known for nuisance drivers, with reports of some residents kept awake into the early hours of the morning by illegally modified vehicles.
Luke has submitted an official expression of interest to Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, for the Barbican to be considered in the pilot scheme. The application is supported by Chris Penberthy, Labour Councillor for St Peter and the Waterfront ward that covers the Barbican.
Luke Pollard said:
“Illegally modified vehicles have blighted our communities for too long, causing excessive noise throughout the day and into the early hours of the morning. A lot of people in Plymouth have contacted me about noise pollution from modified cars and bikes, including families with young children. Some people are woken up nearly every night by the roar of exhausts.
“Having asked people for their ideas of a location for a noise camera there was clear support for the roads around the Barbican. I’ve urged the government to make it a pilot location for their new noise cameras scheme, so we can clamp down on these nuisance drivers.
“The Government is only looking at installing these cameras in a few locations and I want our city to be one of them.”
Chris Penberthy, Labour Councillor for St Peter and the Waterfront, said:
“Residents on the Barbican have long been affected by hideously loud vehicles and bikes. As someone who lives in the area, I know the disruption and distress this brings.”
