Council wants to get tough on boy (and girl) racers

A discussion on Mayo County Council’s new Noise Action Plan 2024-2028 has prompted calls for a ban on ‘souped-up’ car exhausts.

The draft version of the plan was brought before the first meeting of the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) on the Environment, Climate Change and Agriculture last week where the council's executive engineer Imelda O’Donnell outlined the plan, which went out for public consultation earlier this year.

“Mayo County Council has a statutory responsibility to create a Noise Action Plan and transport is currently the majority issue in the county when it comes to noise,” she said. “This plan is intended to manage noise issues from major roads.” 

The first year of the four-year plan will see the council carrying out further analysis of nine Priority Action Areas (PIAs) that were identified previously by consultants. These are located at Fernhill Grove, Carrowbeg; Pearse Terrace and Peter Street, Westport; Fortlands, Springfield, Meadow Park and Knockaphunta Park, Castlebar and in the south Mayo village of Ballindine.

They will also commence the process of identifying potential Quiet Areas, which are areas found to be undisturbed by noise from traffic, industry or recreational activities.

However, Ms O’Donnell said further mitigation works would not be possible without funding.

“We haven’t been told where the funding will be coming from and we’re hoping for clarification soon. We will need to get a contract out to confirm the noise levels as we don’t have the expertise or equipment needed.” 

Cllr Peter Flynn said a major noise issue stems from ‘boy and girl racers’.

“It really is annoying. Boy racers and girl racers now have cars with double exhausts and this new phenomenon of a loud ‘wooing’ noise,” he said. “We are great at bringing in rules but I haven’t heard anything about enforcement in this plan. I welcome the plan and will be positive as long as there are some meaningful actions. The carrot approach doesn’t work but the stick will,” he added.

Cllr Harry Barrett echoed Cllr Flynn’s remarks and said that double exhausts causing excess noise should be banned altogether.

Ms O’Donnell said there is no remit within the Noise Action Plan for traffic enforcement.

The Noise Action Plan will now come before the next full meeting of the Council for consideration.