The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 63
Partnership. As part of its involvement in this partnership, the London
Development Agency will examine the economic development and job
creation opportunities, such as for the attraction, development and
growth of relevant manufacturing and support industries.
Vehicle noise enforcement
4A.12 Legal action can be taken against a vehicle producing excessive noise.
Vehicles must, by law, be fitted with effective exhaust silencers.
Regulations require road users not to make excessive noise, and not to
run the engine unnecessarily while stationary. Such problems may not
affect long term ambient noise levels, but they can startle or annoy,
particularly in the evening or night.
4A.13 The annual MoT test and roadworthiness inspections include an
assessment of the integrity of exhaust systems. Unlicensed vehicles which
have not been MoT tested are more likely to have faults which increase
noise. The Mayor seeks to improve vehicle registration rates and
enforcement. More vehicles going through MoT testing will help to
reduce noise as well as improve safety. An Enforcement Task Force has
been established by Transport for London to pursue initiatives in
partnership with the police, the boroughs, the Association of London
Government, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and others
(Transport Strategy Proposal 4G.2). A European Commission Green Paper
COM (96) 540 proposed consideration of in-service noise testing for road
vehicles. The UK Government is undertaking research concerning the
potential for cost-effective in-service noise testing.
4A.14 The Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy includes support for a better vehicle
maintenance campaign, and action on vehicle emissions testing by
boroughs and others. Better engine tuning and other vehicle maintenance
should help to reduce noise. The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions)(Fixed
Penalty) Regulations, which came into operation in May 2002, allow local
authorities to legally test vehicle emissions at the roadside and require
drivers to switch off their engines when parked at the side of the road.
Box 22: Vehicle noise enforcement by the Police
Limited resources mean that non-life threatening construction and use
offences are low on Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) priorities for
enforcement work. Many infringements are dealt with by verbal warning
or advice, or under the Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (VDRS).
VDRS requires approved repairs to be made as an alternative to
prosecution. VDRS cases are resolved locally within Criminal Justice Units.