Introduction to Noise and Noise Mapping
Environmental Noise arising from transport and industry is an inevitable consequence of a mature and vibrant society, but it is regarded by some to be an unwelcome feature of everyday life.
Noise is subjective and different people react to it in different ways. What can cause annoyance to some people maybe barely noticeable by others. Noise can have the effect of causing people to feel annoyed simply because the noise is audible. As the noise level increases it can interrupt conversation, disturb sleep and, in extreme conditions, cause physical damage to those affected (although exposure to environmental noise is rarely at such a level so as to cause this effect).
In general, noise can be classified into some fairly broad categories. These include; occupational noise, which is experienced at work, neighbour and neighbourhood noise, and environmental (ambient) noise. The noise maps on this site relate to environmental noise only.
The noise maps presented on this site provide an overview of the ambient noise environment in large urban areas and from major transport sources in England. The maps allow the determination of the number of people affected by different levels of ambient noise, the source of that noise (i.e. road, rail, air or industry) and the locations of the people affected.
The Policy Context
The Environmental Noise Directive requires European Member States to establish through the process of noise mapping the number of people exposed to noise levels above 55 dB(A) Lden and 50 dB(A) Lnight from major roads, major railways, major airports and in agglomerations (large urban areas). In these urban areas, noise from all other roads, railways, aircraft movements and significant industrial premises has been mapped, in addition to the major sources.
In England the Directive is implemented through The Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006
Those areas/noise sources in England for which noise mapping has occurred are identified in The Environmental Noise (Identification of Noise Sources) (England) Regulations 2007
Noise Action Plans
The Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 require noise action plans to be developed on a five year rolling programme. Action plans have to be developed for the major noise sources and areas for which maps have been produced. The action plans will seek to manage noise issues and effects including noise reduction if necessary, based on the results obtained through the mapping process.
Noise Maps on this site
In the Maps and Charts section, maps of noise from roads, rail and industry within agglomerations can be viewed interactively via a postcode-based search function. Noise from airports can be viewed interactively by choosing from a drop-down list. Maps of noise from major roads and railways outside of large urban areas can be downloaded and viewed in the 'Other Maps' section.
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