About Noise Action Week

Guiness_South_NAWFor over 20 years Noise Action Week has been working to raise awareness of the problems too much noise causes in our communities. Noise in the wrong place and at the wrong time disrupts our relaxation and work, disturbs sleep. The impact of noise on our  health and well being was recognised in 2018 by the Chief Medical Officer .

What happens during Noise Action Week?

Often a noise problem is simply a lack of thought or consideration and solved by asking the noise maker to reduce the volume. However, noise management services are available to help with serious complaints. This includes:

  • local authorities
  • housing providers
  • mediation services.

Noise Action Week provides a focus for all services involved in neighbourhood noise management to raise awareness of  practical solutions to noise problems.

Noise Action Week aims to get everyone considering the impact of the noise they make.

Participants in Noise Action Week find the day useful and fun. Here is what some previous participants said:

(before covid restrictions)
“the opportunity to get out into the community and talk face to face about ways in which it (noise) can be prevented is too good to miss.”
Paul Clarke of North Norfolk DC

“We feel it does make a difference, and it is reducing the number of complaints we are getting. We do feel that with events like this, that even if it helps one person it is useful.”
Michael Swoffer, Swale DC

All those involved in neighbourhood noise management can engage their local community in reducing every day noise by:

  • Highlighting the problems noise disturbance can cause
  • Promoting practical solutions to noise problems
  • Promoting communication and consideration between neighbours
  • Informing communities of noise-related services available
  • Educating and informing noise makers and noise sufferers about noise reduction
  • Encouraging everyone to take a quiet moment to consider the noises they make

Noise Action Week is an annual initiative coordinated by Environmental Protection UK since 1996. EPUK is a voluntary organisation supported by pollution control professionals which has been working for a cleaner, quieter, healthier world since 1898.