News / Anchor Road
Modified exhausts in cars and bikes are ‘severely affecting’ residents
Leading councillors were urged to take action on the excessively loud noise plaguing people living on some of the city’s streets.
The law bans drivers from modifying their exhausts to make them louder, although in Bristol this appears to be rarely enforced. Bristol City Council said it didn’t have the legal powers to clamp down on noise pollution.
In a written statement to the transport policy committee, local resident Nigel Bryant told councillors about the excessive noise affecting his quality of life. He asked if the council could install noise cameras along Anchor Road.
is needed now More than ever
Bryant said: “Some of these motorcyclists are travelling at excessive speeds and I have witnessed pairs of motorcycles racing along this section of road which now appears to be a popular location for speed trials. The noise is occurring throughout the day and night usually starting at around 6.45am on weekdays.
“Higher noise levels from traffic can lead not only to stress and sleep disturbance but also to an increase in an individuals’ risk of developing more serious health problems such as heart disease or diabetes. There is also a clear danger of road traffic accidents from those vehicles travelling at excessive speeds.”
Noise pollution can increase the risk of developing serious health problems, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Not only do modified exhausts cause excessive noise in the area, but also late-night roadworks and early-morning glass bin collections, according to Bryant.
He added: “Anchor Road seems to be treated with an ‘anything goes’ approach by contractors and services operating in the area — late night roadworks with loud drilling equipment, emptying of bottle bins by glass recyclers at 5am, loud road sweeping vehicles passing at 11pm. These are just a few recent examples.
“If this was a residential street in Clifton these things would simply not be happening. Noise is a real menace in this area and is severely affecting the quality of life and health of residents.”
Responding to the request for noise cameras, the council said the law prevents them from installing noise cameras.
A council spokesperson said: “The Environmental Protection Act 1990 specifically excludes local authorities from being able enforce noise pollution on the highway so the council does not have authority to install noise cameras.
“Under the provision of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, the police have powers to issue fixed penalty notices against users of vehicles that exceed legal noise levels, and may have the ability to use noise cameras.
“The Conservative government’s Plan for Drivers states that they were going to ‘allow local councils to roll out noise cameras to target unacceptable vehicle modifications’. You might want to contact your MP to find out if this is still planned by the Department for Transport under the new Labour Government.”
A trial was launched in South Gloucestershire two years ago with new noise cameras installed on the A4174 dual carriageway. The cameras take a picture of vehicles and record their noise levels, creating evidence which can be used by the police to issue fines to drivers.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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