Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, is set to submit an application to the Department for Transport to bring the new noise camera trial to Milton Keynes.
Four areas across England and Wales set to trial new phase 2 technology to help stop rowdy motorists revving their engines unnecessarily or using illegal exhausts.
Since the technology is in design phase, MPs are being invited to submit applications to trial new innovative noise cameras in their local area, helping to ensure communities can enjoy their public and residential spaces peacefully.
The technology, backed by £300,000, can automatically detect when vehicles are breaking legal noise requirements, helping provide police and local authorities with the tools and evidence to take action against drivers who flout noise laws. Police have existing powers, including the ability to issue fines, but currently have trouble gathering evidence.
The latest phase of noise trials builds on a 3-year programme to perfect the technology. Research shows noise pollution can have significant impacts on physical and mental health for local residents – with heart attacks, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and stress all linked to long-term contact with loud environments.
Excessive noise pollution can mean children struggle to get a good night’s sleep and hardworking people’s lives are made more stressful. In England alone, the annual social cost of urban road noise was estimated to be up to £10 billion a decade ago. This is the total economic cost of exposure to noise pollution, including lost productivity from sleep disturbance and health costs from heart attacks, strokes and dementia.
Ben Everitt MP had a meeting with Thames Valley Police in Wolverton on Friday (13/05) to discuss the application and ongoing issues in the city including in Central Milton Keynes which has affected residents in CMK and Bradwell Common and a similar issue on the H3 near Newport Pagnell. He heard about the work the local police force are already doing on the issue and how the trial would have a positive impact on the work they're doing.
An application will be submitted to the Department for Transport before the deadline at the end of May.
