Could 'noise cameras' come to Barbican?

Area is blighted by high-rev engines

Plymouth's Barbican may get new noise cameras if one of the city's MPs gets his way.

Labour's Luke Pollard, who represents Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, is calling on the government to include the area in a pilot scheme against excessively loud vehicles in the city.   

The Barbican is notorious for noisy motorbikes and boy racers with souped-up exhaust engines. Some residents report being kept awake into the early hours by illegally modified vehicles.  
  
Now the government is considering four locations across England and Wales for a pilot of the new technology using cameras to detect vehicles flouting legal noise limits either by revving excessively or using illegally modified exhausts.

Police can then issue fines under existing law.  

Last month Mr Pollard used his Facebook page to ask Plymothians to share their suggestions for where a noise camera is most needed, and there was clear support for the Barbican.

He has now 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. 

 Mr 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." 
 
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.

"These cameras wouldn't penalise responsible motorists, but they would make those people who purposely modify their cars and motorbikes to be excessively noisy think again. I back Luke’s call for a noise camera on the Barbican and I know many of the residents I represent do too.”