00:00If you've ever walked through New Street or Victoria Square, chances are you've heard someone shouting about salvation or strumming Wonderwall.
00:13But the days of amplified noise in central Birmingham could be numbered.
00:17The council wants to expand its use of Public Space Protection Orders to silence what it calls excessive noise.
00:25That means banning instruments, speakers and mic shift megaphones in key city centre streets.
00:31Victoria Square, Cannon Street, Temple Street and New Street are all in the crosshairs.
00:37The current PSPOs are already set to expire in August, but instead of letting them lapse, the council is looking to go bigger.
00:45The justification, noise is apparently scaring off tenants, bothering customers and giving landlords a headache.
00:52In one Kaiser Council officer claimed they suffered hearing loss after getting too close to a speaker.
00:59It's not just an outside nuisance, it's echoing through narrow streets, bouncing off buildings and landing in people's front rooms.
01:07The voluntary code of conduct didn't work and polite chats on the pavement haven't done the trick either.
01:14Still, it's not a total gag order. Political protests, street traders with permits and emergency vehicles won't be affected.
01:23But if you're preaching without paperwork or busking with a boombox, your spot on the high street might be up.
01:30Critics say it risks muting public expression. Supporters say it's about protecting quality of life.
01:36Either way, it raises the volume on the age old row between civic order and street culture.
01:43The other people look more likely, it's one of the biggest ones.
01:48They're not a huge fan. They're not a big fan. The technically are a big fan, but they don't get too close to the societal thing.
01:54Those are big fan, but the белый are not a big fan.
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