Reducing road transport noise is one of the environmental improvements called for in a new report published by the Campaign for Better Transport(CfBT). “Roads and the Environment” is, they say, a ‘source book of ideas for making our roads, old and new, fit more sensitively into the landscapes and ecosystems through which they pass’. The report draws on case studies, and uses examples of improvements to existing roads that could make our road network better […]

Many homeowners – particularly in areas popular with tourists – let their homes for a few nights or weeks to make some extra money. Most of the time this works for both visitors and homeowners. However, in some cases casual lets can cause noise and nuisance problems for neighbours. Earlier this year, the problem was highlighted in Liverpool, where student accommodation is now let to summer party people. This led councillors to pass a motion […]

Headlines in local and national press often blame noise complaints for the closure music venues. There are times when a venue and its neighbours can’t coexist - but planning and building good relationships can go a long way towards enabling peaceful coexistence between entertainment premsies and neighbours. Noise Action Week is an opportunity for local authorities, venues, performers and neighbours to listen to each other when it comes to noise and create a healthy community […]

Noise Action Week 2018 offers a timely opportunity for everyone involved in noise management – including local councils, housing providers, acoustics professionals as well as communities blighted by noise – to raise awareness of the cost of noise in our neighbourhoods to our health. The week is also an opportunity for those involved in activities with the potential to cause noise problems - whether its building work or a music event - to demonstrate they’re […]

While noise impacts everyone in their daily (and nightly) lives, and is increasingly linked to poor heatlh, it is rarely a matter for national concern. However noise concerns fill the inboxes of local councillors and sometimes MPs. Planning, transport, community policing, licensing, green space and neighbourhood policies all impact on our noise environment. We’ve taken a quick look at the Consevative, Labour and Liberal Democrat manifestos to identify any implications for future noise environment in […]

Neighbourhoods around the country in university and college areas are relishing quiet time while students – from school kids to undergraduates – study for exams. However, anyone who lives near student housing knows that the peace could soon be shattered. Once exams are over its rightly time to relax – however noisy all night parties aren’t generally welcomed by neighbours – who may have young children, teenagers still studying, older people or those with health […]

It is welcome, but rare, to see a story of wealthy celebrities compensating their neighbours (very generously) for noise and disruption caused by building work. Press reports this week that reveal George and Amal Clooney compensated near neighbours while noisy disruptive work to their home was undertaken. Their apology included a holiday in Corfu, six week stay in a hotel, rental cottage and vacuum cleaner (presumably a low noise one, to deal with dust?). This […]

Following a short discusion last week the House of Lords agreed to endorse the extension of pub opening hours for two hours beyond 11pm, for the Queen’s official birthday of June 10th and 11th. The view was presented that this would save the time and expense of pubs wishing to mark the occassion applying for Temporary Event Notices to extend their hours. This debate has been seen before - when extended licensing was approved for […]

Noise Action Week welcomes the continued inclusion of noise exposure as an indicator of public health in the revised Public Health Outcomes Framework, published today by the Department of Health. These indicators are intended to be used to inform decisions impacting on public health. There are three public health indicators for noise are based on information currently collected, covering people affected by transport noise and the rate of complaints about noise to local authorities. Noise […]

It’s that time of year when students of all ages need quiet time as they knuckle down to study for exams. A survey earlier this year found that noise from housemates causes annoyance for flats sharers – which may be a surprise to families and working people living in neighbourhoods where late night noise from shared student accommodation often keeps them awake! We should all be able to have fun - but late night loud […]