'Completely unacceptable' – Councillor warns over noise competition at Newport car show
A "completely unacceptable" noise competition at a Newport car show will encourage people to break sound regulations, it has been claimed.
Councillor Tim Nelson said residents were already up in arms about the Decibel Duel at Motorfest, set to take place at Chetwynd Deer Park on Sunday and Monday, and that the attraction should be pulled from the event's line-up.
But organisers said the ten-minute feature was unlikely to bother nearby residents, and that they were working with the deer park over concerns for livestock.
Councillor Nelson said: "This is completely unacceptable in the edge of a peaceful market town.
"Events at the Deer Park such as the traditional Newport Show are enjoyed by many residents. Events such as this, which sets out to make a row disturbing the peace, should be far away from habitation."
He said he had contacted Telford & Wrekin Council about the event.
"The loudest noise duel should be stopped unless the council has upfront decibel information from the noise sources that they cannot break noise limit regulations. Which they won't.
"Being reactive is too late – the peace will have been broken and people's weekend ruined. The risk is too high, the logic is inescapable: these vehicles are going to try and break noise regulations."
A spokesman for the event said: “The Decibel Duel is only a small part of the full two-day programme of events planned for the Motorfest on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday where we celebrate all aspects of motoring. The competitions take place in the live arena which celebrates motoring history from the 1930s up to the ‘90s as well as other great features to keep the whole family entertained.
"All vehicles in the Decibel Duel are road legal and it is a ten-minute feature in the arena which has proved popular with all ages. We do not anticipate any local residents being disturbed during the day and we have liaised with Chetwynd Deer Park regarding any concern for their livestock.”
It is the first time the event has been held at Chetwynd Deer Park, and was previously housed at Weston Park.
Other attractions include music, arena parades, ownership awards and appearances from classic cars and 30 local car clubs.
Admission costs £8 for adults or £4 for children aged between four and 16. Children younger than four can enter for free.
