Call for ban on loud exhausts as noise action plan is prepared for Mayo
LOUD exhausts on souped up cars should be banned under the traffic regulations.
Asking what purpose they serve other than annoyance to communities, Councillor Harry Barrett has suggested they be outlawed under the Road Traffic Act.
His comments came during a discussion on a draft noise action plan for Mayo at the first meeting of the county council's environment strategic policy committee.
Transportation is the majority issue with noise and nine priority important areas (PIAs) have been identified in the county, primarily along the N5 at Westport and Castlebar and also in Ballindine on the N17.
They include Peter Street, the N59 area at Cluain Ard, Knockranny and Carrowbeg in Westport.
The Castlebar PIAs are at Summerfield, Fortlands, Knockaphunta Park and a point further out the old Westport road.
Executive engineer Imelda O'Donnell explained how noise surveys will be needed to see what can be done to remedy the points. Solutions could range from road surfaces to barriers or mounts or various engineering options - all subject to funding, for which no details have yet been received.
Some points may be removed from the plan if they don't meet an 8,000 daily traffic threshold - Knockranny could be one, subject to a traffic study.
Councillor Peter Flynn said he lives on a busy road in Westport and he appreciated that cars are the biggest contributor to noise pollution.
However, there is an issue in every town with young racers in souped up cars, and now there was the new 'woo woo' phenomena.
It impacted everyone, in their homes or out for a walk and it would be great if they could bring in regulations and penalties as part of the plan, he said.
Living in Castlebar town centre, Councillor Donna Sheridan agreed cars with loud exhausts are a major issue.
Ms. O'Donnell said she would raise the issue at a national workshop this week to see if anything could be done under the plan to address these concerns.
Councillor Barrett suggested it could be quickly dealt with through the Road Traffic Act.