Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, has submitted his application to bring the Government's new noise camera trials to Milton Keynes ahead of today's deadline (27/05).
Last month the Department for Transport announced they were 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 were 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 is backed by £300,000 and 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 has had correspondence from a number of constituents across Milton Keynes North about issues with noise from exhausts and cars racing on local roads, most notably in Central Milton Keynes and on the H3 near Newport Pagnell. and was keen to support them on the issue.
After receiving support for the application from Milton Keynes Council officers and Thames Valley Police, Ben arranged a meeting with local police to discuss the issue and get more information for the noise camera trials application.
He was also told about the work the police have already been doing to cut down on racing and excessive exhaust noise sometimes caused by car meets in the Network Rail car park in Central Milton Keynes.
Ben commented: "I'm very pleased to confirm my application for the noise camera trial, which has support from Milton Keynes Council, Thames Valley Police and local residents, has now been submitted to the Department for Transport.
"I understand how much of an impact noise pollution from car exhausts can have on people's lives and the dangers caused by cars racing on our grid roads so I hope the Government will accept our bid and we can stamp out this issue in Milton Keynes."
