Are street performers too loud in Birmingham city centre?

Over the past six months, Birmingham City Council has seen an increase in the number of complaints received from residents concerning noise levels on the street.

Between June and November 2021, a total of 79 complaints of excessive noise were received.

These complaints focus around street based activities, including street music, on the New Street, High Street and and Temple Street areas which are home to many residents.

A consultation is now underway to determine whether the city council should implement Public Space Protection Orders to tackle noise levels in the city centre.

BirminghamWorld spoke with residents in the city centre to see if they think buskers and other street performers are too noisy, which you can see in the video above.

What do the complaints show?

The complaints can be split down into 17 complaints for New Street and High Street area and 62 complaints relating to the Temple Street and New Street area.

The source of the complaints relates to street-based activities which involve: Amplified music; amplified speaking; Amplified musical instruments; and use of musical instruments that produce loud noise in the street.

The city council said they have worked with people who use amplification and musical instruments in the street to reduce noise levels to a reasonable level, and have had to take formal enforcement action against some individuals.

Despite this, the council said that noise levels are such that they cause a nuisance as well as harassment and distress to residents.

The council is now proposing to declare two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in the city centre to tackle the issue.

This aims to restrict the antisocial behaviour of using amplification equipment and musical instruments in the residential areas from causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Due to noise travelling further at night there are two areas highlighted: a small area immediately outside the residential properties where amplification and instruments cannot be used at anytime, and a larger area between 8pm and 8am extending these restrictions to a wider area.

You can see those areas on the maps, here.

What is a Public Space Protection Order?

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

This power gives the local authority the ability to be able to impose conditions on the use of a particular geographical area to tackle anti-social behaviour that affects the quality of life of those who live or work in the locality.

Antisocial Behaviour is defined is any activity that causes harassment, alarm or distress.

It is the intention that the proposed PSPOs will be in place for a period of 3 years.

When does the consultation end?

The consultation will conclude on 15 May 2022.

As part of the process, the city council is giving the public the opportunity to comment on the proposals.

These will be reviewed before a decision is taken as to whether the proposed PSPOs should be declared.

For further information, visit the website, here.

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