Noise map of England launched

A new map showing how noisy areas of the England are has been launched by the government.

The service allows residents in 23 urban areas of England to access a snapshot of noise levels – including noise from major industries, road and rail networks - in their neighbourhoods.

The information – which covers 80,000 km of roads within urban areas, 28,000 km of major road networks and almost 5,000 km of railways - will be used to draw up action plans to reduce unreasonable levels of noise.

In urban areas these will also include measures to protect designated quiet areas.

"Factors like transport and industry are a necessary part of modern life. But we need to look at what further practical steps we can take to make people's lives more tranquil," said environment minister Jonathan Shaw.

"These maps provide the most comprehensive snapshot yet of noise in our country, all at the click of a mouse. They will provide a spring board to go forward and tackle unnecessary and unreasonable noise pollution."

Users are able to search by postcode to access maps that show noise levels over an average 24 hour period, as well as during night time hours only.

The site also includes information on the number of people exposed to these levels of noise. All member states have to produce maps under the EU Environmental Noise Directive.

"We will use them to draw up action plans to reduce noise where practical from major roads and railways, as well as from urban areas," continued Mr Shaw.

"The plans will include measures to protect designated quiet areas from any increase in noise."

The mapping was carried out during 2006-07 in line with Defra's work to implement the European directive. They incorporate the noise maps produced for the 18 English airports that were published last December.

The noise map will soon be available at the Defra website.

Chris O'Toole