Labour U-turns on road safety plans despite Britons in favour of urgent support

The decision comes after a major study revealed that transport noise affects more than one in five Britons, contributing to 66,000 premature deaths annually.

Experts have urged the Government to reconsider, warning that councils would struggle to implement the technology without proper guidance.

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Noise cameras use ANPR technology to monitor driving noise on the

Noise cameras use a video camera in conjunction with microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles as they pass by.

The camera uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology, 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.

While the cameras could help tackle the growing problem, Greenwood has rejected calls to introduce guidance for local authorities on introducing noise cameras.

In a written response, 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.

“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.”

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Reports showed how seven in 10 Britons supported introducing noise cameras across the UK

Max Sugarman, Intelligent Transport System UK chief executive, called the announcement “disappointing”, highlighting that 69 per cent of the public back enforcement measures against excessively noisy vehicles.

The agency’s report examined noise pollution across 31 countries, including the UK, finding that approximately 112 million people globally face harmful noise exposure exceeding official thresholds.

Road traffic emerged as the primary culprit, affecting 92 million Europeans during day and evening periods, while railway noise impacts 18 million, and aircraft noise affects 2.6 million people.

The research linked prolonged transport noise exposure to 50,000 new cardiovascular disease cases and 22,000 type 2 diabetes diagnoses in 2021 alone.

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Children faced particular vulnerability, with noise contributing to over 560,000 reading comprehension difficulties, 63,000 behavioural problems and 272,000 cases of childhood obesity.

According to research, urban areas bear the brunt of noise pollution, with road traffic dominating as the principal source affecting densely populated regions throughout the continent.

The assessment revealed that transport noise causes the loss of 1.3 million healthy life years each year, measured through disability-adjusted life years.

When ranked against other environmental health threats, transport noise sits third behind air pollution and temperature-related factors, surpassing risks from second-hand smoke and lead exposure.

Experts have been calling on the Government to launch guidance on installing noise cameras for local authorities

The ITS report revealed widespread public backing for noise enforcement technology, with polling finding 69 per cent support for measures to tackle excessively noisy vehicles.

The survey exposed low public awareness, with 67 per cent having never heard of noise cameras, though support jumped to 62 per cent once the technology was explained.

Sugarman 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.”