4 August 2025: In response to a Written Parliamentary Question, the Government has confirmed it will not produce guidance for local authorities on the implementation of noise cameras, stating that it “does not currently have plans to produce further guidance on noise cameras”.

Responding to the news, ITS UK Chief Executive Max Sugarman, said: “It’s disappointing to see Government no longer has plans to produce guidance for noise cameras. Noise is proven to adversely affect public health, and tackling it – through technology like noise cameras – has shown to be popular. In fact, as ITS UK’s Noise Camera: Where Next? Report shows, 69% of the public support measures to enforce noise limits on road vehicles.

“We urge the Government to reconsider. Many local authorities will be interested in implementing this technology, but many will be unsure about how to do so, particularly around the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). Guidance for the sector can ensure local authorities can continue to roll out this technology, supporting a quieter road network for the public.”

The timing of this update coincides with a new report from the European Environment Agency “Environmental Noise in Europe 2025”, which finds that over 20% of the population are exposed to harmful transport noise levels.  Noise pollution from transport sources results in the loss of 1.3 million healthy life years annually in Europe, equivalent to an annual economic cost of at least EUR 95.6 billion, representing around 0.6% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) each year.

ITS UK’s Noise Cameras: Where Next? Report was published in January 2025. The report provided an overview of the noise camera market in the UK, and set out three recommendations on how Government could support the technology:

1. Establish a Government-led Noise Group comprised of key industry stakeholders
2. The Government should publish guidance for local authorities on rolling out noise cameras using Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).
3. Government should work with industry to support public awareness campaigns that promote the positive role noise cameras can play in reducing noise pollution.

Alongside the report, independent polling commissioned by ITS UK and carried out by Opinium revealed:

• There is strong support for measures to make it easier to enforce against excessively noisy vehicles, with 69% in support, and 16% opposing. Support is high across different regions of the UK, age groups and voting intentions.
• Awareness of noise camera technology is low, with two thirds of the public (67%) having never heard of them; 17% have heard but don’t know any details, and a tenth know at least a bit about noise cameras (10%). Among those with access to a vehicle, awareness remains low at 28%;
• However, when noise cameras are explained to respondents, support for their further roll out is high with 62% in support, and 20% opposing; and
• Half think public awareness of laws around excessively noisy vehicles and their enforcement is too low (50%) with only a fifth thinking it’s ‘about right’ (20%).

Note to Editors

1. The update regarding the guidance on noise cameras was provided in Parliamentary Question UIN 57223, tabled on 4 June 2025. In the Plan for Drivers, the previous Government said it would: “issue guidance to local authorities setting out minimum requirements and best practice for the use of noise cameras, sharing the findings of recent trials of this equipment.”
2. The EEA’s Report, Environmental Noise in Europe, can be found here
3. You can find ITS UK’s Noise Cameras: Where Next? Report here and the accompanying polling from Opinium here.
4. About ITS UK: Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) is the voice of the transport technology industry. ITS UK provides a national platform to support the roll out of technology for a cleaner, safer and more effective transport network, both at home and abroad. We support our 180+ members – from both the private and public sector, and covering all sizes and disciplines – through advocacy to policy makers, connecting people and organisations, promoting the industry overseas and supporting innovation across the intelligent transport ecosystem. www.its-uk.org