09-08-2025
Labour U-turns over big change to UK roads in 'disappointing' blow
The government has U-turned on road safety plans despite drivers being in favour of urgent support. Labour Party Future for Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said the Government has no plans to launch guidance for noise cameras, she said.
Ms Greenwood confirmed they have "no current plans" to offer guidance on noise cameras, with the decision lying with local authorities.
In the Commons, she said: "The Department for Transport does not currently have plans to produce further guidance on noise cameras, but is keeping up to date with any advancements in this technology.
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"It is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be for addressing issues with excessive vehicle noise within their area. The use of noise camera technology has already been taken forward by some local authorities."
Max Sugarman, Intelligent Transport System UK chief executive, called the announcement "disappointing".
Mr Sugarman went on and added: "Noise is proven to adversely affect public health, and tackling it - through technology like noise cameras - has been shown to be popular.
"Guidance for the sector can ensure local authorities can continue to roll out this technology, supporting a quieter road network for the public."
The Department for Transport (DfT) has been trialling noise camera technology to understand if it can be used to automatically detect when vehicles are excessively noisy.
Roadside trials took place from 18 October 2022 until 1 February 2023 and were located in Keighley, Bristol, Great Yarmouth and Rubery, Birmingham.
The new technology uses a video camera in conjunction with microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles as they pass by. The camera takes a picture of a vehicle and records the noise level to create a digital package of evidence that could be used to fine offending drivers.
The trials had funding of £300,000 and the objective was to provide local authorities and police with effective enforcement tools capable of capturing sufficient evidence to support successful prosecution of offenders.
