Scottish Conservative Councillor Bob Brawn is calling on the SNP Government to consider introducing noise cameras to clampdown on road users who flout the law and has suggested trialling them on the A93 road, which runs from Blairgowrie through Glenshee, up to Aberdeenshire.
The politician was reacting to advice provided by SPICe (Scottish Parliament Information Centre) in a response to a query on the subject from the Scottish Conservatives. Research from SPICe has indicated that legislation on noise cameras appears to be in place, thus paving the way for the possibility of introducing them in Scotland.
Noise cameras have already been successfully trialled in England and Councillor Brawn, who represents the Blairgowrie and the Glens ward, feels the time is right for the SNP Government to look at introducing them here.
Councillor Brawn feels the situation worsened this summer with speeding bikers taking to the A93, some of whom had unsilenced exhausts which caused concern for local residents.
Commenting, he said: “The roads of Glenshee and the Glens have always been an attraction to motorcyclists and drivers alike and while no one objects to others enjoying themselves, they need to do so responsibly and with respect to local residents.
“With speed comes noise and the disturbance caused by performance bikes and cars has been a recurring problem for many years but this year it seems to be far more prevalent than ever before.
“So- called ’noise cameras’ have been trialled in England and I’d like to see the SNP Government review legislation, which seems adequate, to see if we could adopt the same approach in Scotland. Undoubtedly, Glenshee would be a suitable area for a pilot scheme.”
Councillor Brawn added: “In the meantime, I believe that Police Scotland should take a tougher approach in this area adopting enforcement rather than education both regard to excessive speeding and anti-social noise, where they already have powers to issue fixed penalties and, in worse case scenarios, seize vehicles.”
*In their response to a query from the Scottish Conservatives on whether separate legislation would be needed to introduce noise cameras in Scotland, SPICe said: “Based on the preparatory work which the UK Government did on this issue, it seems that most of the legal framework is based either on EU law or UK legislation (e.g. statutory nuisance rules and the Construction and Use Regulations which apply to all vehicles in the UK).
“Our understanding is that such equipment, e.g. speed cameras and potentially also noise cameras, is also approved at UK level by the Home Office for use by police forces. There would, therefore, appear to be legal powers to do this at UK level.
“Our understanding is that the police in Scotland are already able to issue warnings, fixed penalty notices and seize vehicles under anti-social behaviour legislation.”