Noise camera trials

North Shropshire residents who live next to noisy roads are being urged to contact their MP ahead of noise camera trials in parts of the country this year.

The cameras involve new technology are to be trialled in four locations in England and Wales this summer and applications to be part of the trial will be opening soon.

Helen Morgan, the MP for North Shropshire, is keen to hear from people in her constituency who live in areas where noise from boy racers and illegally modified vehicles is a regular problem.

She will then apply for relevant places to take part in the trial this year and benefit from new technology which was first trialled in 2019.

It is hoped the new cameras will help police gather evidence against drivers who flout rules which require exhausts and silencers to be maintained and not altered to make them louder.

Anyone caught breaking the law can face a £50 on-the-spot fine.

The new cameras will be able to provide real-time reports to police, with early testing showing they can identify individual vehicles and assign noise levels to them.

Research has linked long-term noise pollution to physical and mental health problems such as heart attacks, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and stress.

Helen Morgan MP said: “Noise from modified cars and motorbikes can be a real nuisance for people living near certain roads in North Shropshire with a minority of drivers not only spoiling the peace in our beautiful constituency but also breaking the law.

“Hopefully these new cameras can help clamp down on the rule breakers but only four areas across England and Wales will take part in this year’s trial.

“I urge anyone who thinks their area should be considered to contact my office by emailing helen.morgan.mp@parliament.uk."