Latest news with #noiselevels
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Birmingham busking crackdown given green light
Plans to crack down on busking and street preaching in Birmingham city centre have been given the green a bid to tackle "excessive noise levels" in some streets, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will be introduced by the council, with a ban on using amplification equipment and musical instruments applying on the roads covered by the order will include Victoria Square, New Street, Temple Street, Cannon Street, Needless Alley and part of Waterloo unnamed busker had told a consultation it would make Birmingham the country's "least friendly city" for street performance. The order will focus on noise associated with busking, street entertaining, street preaching and public speaking affecting people living in the area and residents trying to relax at home and landlords attempting to let properties were being impacted, the council said this year. 'Better ways' Labour councillor Nicky Brennan said for some residents who may have sensory sensitivities, noise levels that were too loud could "cause increased anxiety, stress and mental fatigue".Conservative councillor Ewan Mackey said businesses in the city centre were "equally important" as Liberal Democrat Deborah Harries said: "Does Birmingham really want to be a city culturally that is […] not really interested in doing anything to protect its musical heritage in terms of The Crown [pub] and Station Street and bans the busker?"There must be better ways than this absolute hammer to crack a nut."The council's deputy leader, Labour's Sharon Thompson, said it was not true nothing was being done with regards to the pub known as the birthplace of Black said she knew "we are doing things around Station Street".Several businesses backed the PSPO plan with some telling how city centre busking was taking a toll on workers and driving away customers.A number of buskers said compromises could be reached, with one suggesting the council adopted a model similar to that of Busk in London with respect to basic council director of regulation and enforcement Sajeela Naseer said London had a "specific piece of legislation".Cabinet members approved the declaration of the PSPO and that officers should explore the feasibility of a 'consent/permitting scheme' for city centre busking. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Buskers call for compromise in Birmingham centre clampdown plan
Some buskers and music groups have criticised plans to crack down on "excessive noise levels" in Birmingham city centre. Plans first announced in April for a Public Space Protection Order would restrict noise from busking, street entertaining, street preaching and public speaking in areas including New Street and High unnamed busker told a city council consultation it would make Birmingham the country's "the least friendly city" for street performance and called for compromise. The plans, which have been recommended for approval at a cabinet meeting on 22 July, follow a rise in noise complaints. The order would also cover Victoria Square, Temple Street, Cannon Street, Needless Alley and part of Waterloo would ban musical instruments and amplification equipment, along with any associated noise such as from entertaining or preaching. However, the recommendation said council officers should also consider the feasibility of a permit scheme for city-centre busking. The proposals came amid concerns noise levels were impacting businesses, residents trying to relax at home and landlords trying to let among people responding to the consultation, one busker suggested a number of "significant compromises" could be reached, such as a restriction on amplification. "Without some sort of compromise with the busking community, Birmingham will become the least friendly city in the country (and arguably in Europe) for street performance," the musician said. Another busker suggested: "Rather than restricting all performers - many of whom are professional and committed to enhancing the city's street culture - I propose that Birmingham Council consider adopting a model similar to that of Busk in London with respect to basic licensing."Such a scheme would involve an audition process and code of conduct, they explained. Stephen Brown, the Musicians' Union Midlands regional organiser, previously claimed the council was "using a sledgehammer to crack a nut".He called for a more "nuanced approach" such as permitting day time busking through a "better management scheme of noise control and agreed pitches". A council report revealed the consultation provoked a "varied response" to the proposed PSPO, but when the authority carried out further analysis to find responders who live or work in the area, 53%, or 92 people, agreed the order was the right way forward. The report added it had to also consider feedback from businesses and organisations. Two PSPOs are already in force in residential parts of the city centre, which are due to expire in August, but the council acknowledged there had been an increasing number of complaints in surrounding areas. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
