This petition is to raise awareness to Aberdeen City council and combat the use of amplifiers in the city center.

Breakdown:

Amplifiers are being abused and the new busking policy created by the Council has had no real impact in tackling the issues that residents, workers and businesses are being negatively affected by.

The dedicated busking and amplifiers zones are not being used, the noise levels and agreed time dedicated to a spot is being disregarded also.

The solutions provided by our Council show clear inadequacy and lack of care in the matter.

Why this needs to be done?

1. Anti-Social Behavior; Choosing to busk with an amplifier to increase coverage despite having dedicated zones and volumes levels in place is an egotistical drive for attention and forcing noise unto businesses, passing individuals and home owners within the affected areas.
2. Autism/Disability care; Individuals with the following issues are heavily affected by this
3. Pet owners; Pets comfort and health are at risk due to the stress caused by consistent noise pollution, this stress can lead to huge health complications, Birds, cats and dogs are frequent to developing illness' based on the noise levels of the surrounding environment.
4. Property Value Tanking; this affects the value of properties and business prospects in the area and is contributing to the death of the city center, despite being preached as a saving factor.
5. Business Practices; workers rights are at risk with the unacceptable noise levels and force participation, Individual practices and offices are struggling to perform and clients are affected by the noise.

Solutions/Compromises;

1. Union square and St Nicholas square should be changed to the only dedicated busking zones in the city if they refuse to comply with the amplifier ban
2. Complete ban of busking and preaching with an amplifier should be punishable with a £200 fine with additional consequence for repeat offenders as this is killing the comfort of residents, workers and negatively affecting business practices in the affected zones.
3. Police/council Governed policing of the noise levels and participants to ensure the policies are being followed.

Why we need to resolve this issue;

• Prevent Violence/assault from residents/workers to buskers
• Ensure that citizens rights are being taken seriously; our right to comfort and protection from nuisances should not be disregarded; there is a thin border that can be crossed and abused if not looked into.
• Combat use of council resources; These issues are not being taken seriously by our local council and if not dealt with shows further lack of concern or care, This goes beyond just the residents suffering but the tax payers money too.

Thank you for taking the time to read and go over this proposal/petition, please be mindful of those living in the city center; This is still a residential area and fits under the criteria of such; please keep an open mind to the issue and consider that union street is still considered a residential zone, the noise levels we are facing at the moment are not acceptable and a clear violation of acceptable noise levels.