Quick links:
Noise
Sources of noise pollution
Noise pollution & health
National noise incidents
SW noise pollution incidents
National noise survey
Attitudes to noise survey
Neighbour noise survey
Noise mapping
Tranquillity
Light pollution
High hedgerows
Beach litter
Traffic
Useful websites:
BRE
national attitude to noise survey report
BRE
national noise incidents survey report
MORI
survey on neighbour noise
Chartered Institute
of Environmental Health
The noise mapping project
Campaign for the Protection
of Rural England - tranquillity
Campaign
for the Protection of Rural England - light pollution
DEFRA:
- Noise
Strategy
- Code
of Practice
ENCAMS
House
of Commons report on light pollution
Office
of the Deputy Primeminster - hedgerow height legislation
Sub-regional information:
Bristol City
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Environmental nuisance
Environmental nuisance in this context is taken to cover issues such
as noise, light, odour and litter. These are having an increasing impact
on our quality of life.
Noise
What is Noise pollution?
Noise is the most pervasive environmental pollutant of the modern world.
While sound is essential to our daily lives, noise - often defined as
unwanted sound - is not. Noise can be extremely disruptive, causing annoyance,
stress which can lead to illness, sleep disturbance and interference with
communication. At very high levels, noise can damage hearing and even
lead to hearing loss. Different types of noise also have different effects,
for example, intermittent noises are more disruptive than continuous sound,
and low frequency noise can be disturbing for some people. Evidence suggests
that high levels of "ambient" noise may disrupt the ability
of children to concentrate, affecting learning abilities.
More information about the sources of noise pollution
is available here.
Noise complaints in the South West
The annual survey carried out by the Chartered Institute for Environmental
Health (CIEH) for 2002 / 2003 shows the breakdown of noise complaints
for the South West. This survey breaks down the region into the South
West (Cornwall, Devon and Dorset) and the Western region (Somerset, Wiltshire,
Gloucestershire, Swindon, South Gloucestershire, City of Bristol, North
Somerset and Bath and North east Somerset). See graphs below :
South West noise complaints
Of particular interest when analysing these sub-regional differences
is that you are more likely to register a complaint about noise
if you live in the western part of the region. In the more rural
counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, a total of 8,270 complaints
about noise were received by local authorities in 2002 / 2003, compared
to 13,960 in the south western part of the region (a difference
of 41%). This follows the findings of the Neighbour
Noise Survey, in that areas of high density housing such as
cities and more industrial areas are at most risk of unacceptable
noise.
People living in the South Western part of the region are:
- 32% less likely to make a complaint about industrial noise
- 18% less likely to make a complaint about commercial / leisure
noise (although there are 14% more complaints per million population)
- 47% less likely to make a complaint about domestic noise
- 35% less likely to make a complaint about construction / demolition
noise
Following national trends, domestic noise is the most common form
of noise complaints with construction / demolition receiving the
least. |
Noise complaints in the South West part of the region
(Cornwall, Devon and Dorset): 2002 / 2003
(Click to enlarge)
Source: Chartered Institute of Environmental Health by personal
communication (2004)
Noise complaints in the Western part of the region (Somerset,
Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, South Gloucestershire, City
of Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North east Somerset): 2002
/ 2003
(click to enlarge)
Source: Chartered Institute of Environmental Health by personal
communication (2004)
(caveat: this data is compiled from an annual survey of local authorities,
response to which is voluntary. For the 2002 / 2003 80% of local
authorities responded from within the South Western part of the
region (Cornwall, Devon and Dorset) and 95% from within the Western
part (Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, South Gloucestershire,
City of Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North east Somerset).
More information about these caveats can be found on the Defra
website - noise pages. |
Motor vehicle noise
Noise relating to motor vehicles is collected annually and trends
are available for the last 15 years.
The South West has a relatively high number of noise offences relating
to motor vehicles, consistently ranking in the top 4 regions. The
total number of offences throughout the English regions has declined
significantly since 1986.
Although the number of offences in the South West has declined
by almost three-quarters (from 1,230 offences in 1986 to 449 in
2001), it was beaten by only the South East and the North West in
terms of the highest number of offences in 2001. |
Noise offences relating to motor vehicles: 1986, 1991, 1996
& 2001
(click to enlarge)
Source: Home
Office, 2004 |
National
noise pollution incidents
Annual survey into local authority noise enforcement
The Chartered
Institute of Environmental Health conducts an annual survey
into local authority noise enforcement action. These surveys highlight
the increasing number of complaints about noise, peaking in 2001/2002.
Noise from domestic sources, relating to neighbour noise, is the
biggest source of problems in England and Wales, attracting around
three-quarters of all complaints in 2002/2003.
The significant increase in all noise complaints in 2001/2002 appears
not to be an ongoing trend, as figures for 2002/2003 appear to have
returned back to the relatively consistent levels recorded since
1998. |
Noise complaints per million population in England
and Wales: 1988 - 2003
(click to enlarge)
Source: CIEH,
2003 |
|
In 2001, the Government commissioned the National Noise Incidence
Survey, which looked at noise levels in the UK. It found that while
the peak levels of noise are not increasing, the length of time
over which those levels are experienced is spreading, reflecting
increasing road use and the trend towards a "24 hour society."
A regional breakdown of noise levels, as shown in the table below,
indicates that there are only small differences in the mean levels
of various noise indicators between individual regions of the UK.
The regions experiencing the highest levels were West Midlands,
North West and Greater London. The regions experiencing the lowest
levels were Northern Ireland and Scotland. The South West rated
6th out of the 12 regions. |
Regional breakdown of mean levels – ordered according
to background noise level
 (click
to enlarge)
Source: BRE,
The National Noise Incidence Study 2000/2001: Volume 1 – Noise
Levels (2002) |
|
This survey, conducted by the BRE in 1999/2000 for Defra, found
that:
- 18%a of respondents reported noise as one of the top five from
a list of environmental problems that personally affected them.
This placed it ninth in the list of 12 environmental problems.
- 69% of respondents reported general satisfaction with their
noise environment (i.e. liking the amount (or absence) of noise
around them at home to some extentb).
- 84% of respondents reported hearing noise from road traffic.
- 81% of respondents reported hearing noise from neighbours and/or
other people nearby.
- 71% of respondents reported hearing noise from aircraft.
- 49% of respondents reported hearing noise from building, construction,
demolition, renovation or road works.
- 40% of respondents reported being bothered, annoyed or disturbed
to some extent by road traffic noise.
- 37% of respondents reported being bothered, annoyed or disturbed
to some extent by noise from neighbours and/or other people nearby.
- 20% of respondents reported being bothered, annoyed or disturbed
to some extent by noise from aircraft.
- 15% of respondents reported being bothered, annoyed or disturbed
to some extent by noise from building, construction, demolition,
renovation or road works.
- 21% of respondents reported that noise spoilt their home life
to some extent, with 8% reporting that their home life was spoilt
either ‘quite a lot’ or ‘totally’.
Full survey results are available from the Defra
website |
|
A survey looking at neighbour noise was conducted by MORI for Defra
in 2003 has found that:
- Close to two in three people (63%) hear noise from their neighbours
to some extent although under half (43%) of those people find
it annoying.
- Neighbour noise is likely to be a particular problem in certain
areas - including high density housing, rented accommodation (in
both the private and social sector), areas of deprivation and
urban areas.
- People living in detached homes, are of high income or who live
in suburban / rural areas are least affected by neighbour noise.
- Loud music, shouting and banging are the most frequent causes
of annoyance. ‘One off’ or infrequent events like
barbeques or parties are considered less of a widespread problem,
as is mowing the lawn
- Certain noises vary in impact on different groups. For example,
older people are much more bothered by fireworks, and residents
in rural areas are more likely to highlight noise from cars, motorbikes
and pets
- Some noises are more disturbing than others when they have
a wider social connotation; for example, the prominence of shouting
and banging relates to its association with domestic violence
and child abuse. Similarly, noise from young people reflects a
general suspicion of young people and the fear that they will
cause crime.
- Around one in ten people have made a complaint about neighbour
noise.
Full details of this survey are available on the Defra
website. |
Noise Mapping
A noise map is a study which shows, usually graphically, the expected
noise levels in an area from particular sources, such as roads, railways,
aircraft and large industrial units. The map is usually produced by a
combination of direct measurements and computer modelling. The computer
uses the measurements along with data concerning various aspects, such
as traffic levels, building locations and heights, aircraft movements,
etc. to produce the map. More information on noise mapping is available
on the Defra
noise and nuisance web pages.
In early 2002, the government undertook a consultation on its proposal,
announced in the Rural White Paper 2000 to develop an Ambient
Noise Strategy in England. The strategy is due to be developed by
2007.
 The
noise mapping project is part of the first stage of the development
of the National Ambient Noise Strategy (NANS). It also addresses the requirements
of the Rural White Paper.
The project aims to gather information on the ambient noise climate in
England. In simple terms, this means determining the number of people
affected by different levels of ambient noise, the source of that noise
and the locations of the people affected.
The first noise map has now been produced which provides information
on the levels of road traffic noise across the whole of the Greater
London area. Maps for this area are searchable according to postcode,
road name or grid reference.
New noise maps
includes Bristol
Decibel levels are also to be charted along major roads in 20 English
towns and cities as part of the Government plans to tackle noise pollution
(August 2005).
Funding has now been allocated to make noise maps of Bristol, Bournemouth,
Brighton, Reading, Portsmouth, Southampton, Southend, Leicester, Nottingham,
Coventry, Stoke on Trent, Hull, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Birkenhead,
Blackpool, Preston, Tyneside and Teeside, along with the West Midlands
and West Yorkshire. These new noise maps will provide a better understanding
of the overall situation and allow the Government to target efforts to
tackle unwanted noise where it is really needed.
Creating a detailed map of noise levels throughout Enlgand is the first
stage of a long-term plan to try to reduce background noise and its effect
on those who have to endure it at high levels.
The Government believes it will be a useful tool which will not only
make attempts to monitor the impact of measures to tackle ambient noise
but will also influence planning decisions and pinpoint where people are
worst affected by noise, how many are affected, and what the source of
the noise is.
The findings from the mapping project will then be evaluated against
economic, social and environmental factors before agreeing action that
may be required
Impact of noise on health
The World Health
Organisation lists the impacts of noise on health as:
- Hearing impairment
- Speech intelligibility (when noise prevents us from being heard or
understood)
- Sleep disturbance
- Physiological functions (such as hypertension)
- Mental illness (in terms of accelerating or intensifying mental disorders)
- Performance
- Social & behavioural problems (including annoyance and increased
aggressive behaviour)
Guideline values
for community noise in specific environments are set by the World Health
Organisation, key guidelines include:
- During the day-time (7:00am - 11:00pm), outdoor noise levels of 50
dB should not be exceed in order to prevent people from becoming 'moderately
annoyed'.
- At night (11:00pm - 7:00am), noise should not exceed 30 dB LAeq to
allow undisturbed sleep
Sources of Noise Pollution
Noise pollution can arise from many sources, as detailed in the table
below:
Sources of noise pollution
Noise source |
Description |
Ambient / environmental noise |
The main source of ambient noise is transport - road, rail and
air - of which road is, in the majority of places, by far the biggest
source:
- Road noise is made up of two main components - tyre noise and
engine noise. At high speeds, the noise the tyres make on the
road is the greatest source. At low speeds, engine noise is more
important. In heavy goods vehicles, body noise made by rattling
panels or loads can also be significant.
- Aircraft noise is a particular problem around airports, but
with increasing numbers of flights, it is being heard further
and further away by people living under flight paths. Noise from
individual aircraft is decreasing as quieter technologies are
introduced, but the increasing frequency of flights means that
overall the noise problem is getting worse.
- Railway noise affects fewer people and is generally thought
to be less of a problem than other ambient sources. However, if
more high speed rail links are developed, the problems associated
with rail noise could increase. The main factors in determining
the level of rail noise are the type of engine, speed and track
quality.
|
Neighbourhood noise |
Effects are confined to a small area. For example, noise from
a club or other entertainment venue, or from a small factory or
building site, could be classified as neighbourhood noise. The individual
sources of neighbourhood noise are usually easier to identify and
so take action on. |
Neighbour or domestic noise
. |
This type of noise affects the smallest number of people, but
can be the most annoying.
The most common neighbour noise complaints are about loud music
and dogs barking. Other noises, such as burglar alarms, loud televisions,
shouting, banging doors, and DIY work are also common sources.
|
Noise Nuisance
|
A nuisance is often difficult to establish but, generally speaking,
if something is unreasonable to the average person, a court might
decide it is a statutory nuisance. Noise nuisance is covered by
Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(EPA). This law
empowers local authorities to deal with noise from fixed premises
(including land) if they consider that the noise amounts to a statutory
nuisance. Proceedings may be taken against noise from factories,
shops, pubs, dwellings and stationary vehicles. |
Noise in the Street
|
The Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 makes noise in the
street a statutory nuisance. Traffic noise, noise made by military
forces, or from campaigning demonstrations is excluded.
The following are included:
- Vehicles - noise emitted from a vehicle, caused by it or by
car repairs, car radios, car alarms and parked refrigerator vehicles.
- Loudspeakers - the use of loudspeakers in the streets is banned
between 9.00 pm and 8.00 am (the police, ambulance and fire brigade
are exempt). Local authorities can license use outside these hours
- e.g. for entertainment but not for advertising purposes or electioneering.
Vehicles selling perishable foods may use loudspeakers between
12.00 noon and 7.00 pm and these times can be varied with local
authority consent. Complaints about loudspeakers or chimes should
be made to the environmental health department.
- Burglar Alarms - there are proposals to give local authorities
powers to control alarms, but dates for implementation have not
yet been decided. Under the London Local Authorities Act 1991
local authorities may prosecute owners or occupiers of buildings
whose alarms cause annoyance to people in the vicinity.
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Night Time Noise
|
The Noise Act 1996 gives local authorities the option of imposing
restrictions on noise emitted from dwellings between the hours of
11pm and 7am. If an environmental health officer is satisfied that
noise exceeds the permitted level, the offender may be fined. An
authorised officer can enter the dwelling to confiscate noise making
equipment.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 amends the Noise Act 1996 and
enables all local authorities in England and Wales to use the night-time
noise provisions without first having to adopt them. |
Fireworks
|
Recently fireworks have become an increasing noise problem for
people and pets. They are let off not only for traditional celebrations
such as Bonfire Night, New Year and Diwali, but year round to mark
public and private celebrations. Under the Fireworks Act 2003, there
are new regulations aiming to reduce noise, nuisance and injuries
caused by fireworks. The Fireworks Regulations 2003 prohibit anyone
under 18 from possessing a firework, and anyone except fireworks
professionals from possessing display fireworks. It is planned that
the new regulationswill be in force in good time for Bonfire Night
2004.
Some sources of noise nuisance are restricted by bye-laws enforced
by the local authority, but an individual may also prosecute. Sources
covered include noisy animals, loud music, model aircraft, fireworks
and sea side pleasure boats. |
Aviation Noise - UK controls on aircraft noise |
The Department for Transport has overall responsibility for the
control of aircraft noise in the UK. The Civil Aviation Act 1982
(CAA) s.76 states that no action for trespass or nuisance can be
taken as long as an aircraft observes the rules of the Air and Air
Traffic Control Regulations - which also cover ground movements.
This principle dates from 1920 when aircraft were exempted from
nuisance legislation to protect a small growing industry.
The White Paper, "A New Deal For Transport", published
in July 1998 set out proposals to help airports to enforce noise
mitigation measures. The Air Traffic Control Regulations 1985 cover
rules as to flight. In general, aircraft or helicopters may not
fly over a town below 1500 feet above the highest object and within
2000 feet of it. Air traffic control prescribes landing and take
off routes which are intended to minimise noise over built up areas.
Aircraft are also prohibited from flying within 500 feet of persons,
vessels, vehicles or structures. |
Source: NSCA,
2004
Tranquillity and tranquil
areas
The Campaign
for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) define tranquil Areas as
those places that are sufficiently far away from the visual or noise intrusion
of development or traffic to be considered unspoilt by urban influences.
A Tranquil Area lies:
- 4 km from the largest power stations
- 3 km from the most highly trafficked roads such as the Ml/M6; from
large towns (e.g. towns the size of Leicester and larger); and from
major industrial areas
- 2 km from most other motorways and major trunk roads, such as the
M4 and A1, and from the edge of smaller towns
- 1 km from medium disturbance roads, i.e. roads that are difficult
to cross in peak hours (taken to be roughly equivalent to greater than
10,000 vehicles per day) and some main line railways
- Beyond military and civil airfield/airport noise lozenges as defined
by published noise data (where available) and beyond very extensive
opencast mining.
Within Tranquil Areas, the following linear elements are shown as creating
a lower level of disturbance 1 km wide:
- Low disturbance roads
- 400KV and 275KV power lines
- some well-trafficked railways
The maps, below, provide a broad brush picture of areas in the countryside
that are free from urban intrusion (shown in green).
Tranquillity
in england (& the south west in detail): 1960s and early 1990s
(click images to enlarge)
Early 1960s
|
Detailed South West maps
|
Early 1990s
|
NB: Tranquil qualities are hard to measure, and arbitrary
definitions may be used to create maps. |
Tranquillity - area, size and percentages: 1960 and 1990
| |
1960s |
1990s |
Change |
Area of tranquillity in England (sq km) |
91,880 |
73,012 |
21% loss |
Percentage of England which is tranquil |
70% |
56% |
20% reduction |
Average size of tranquil area in England (sq km) |
193 |
52 |
73% reduction |
Source: CPRE
and Countryside Agency (1995)
From the maps and data above, the impact of increasing development,
travel and urbanisation is clearly visible. In the 30 year period between
1960 and 1990 tranquil areas declined b 20%, with over half of the country
now experiencing some level of disturbance.
The impact of development is particularly evident in the
South West, with the M5, A303, A30 and other road networks clearly visible.
Large expanses of tranquil areas do still exist in the region, however,
such as in North and West Devon and East Cornwall. National parks (such
as Dartmoor and Exmoor) and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (such
as Bodmin) also remain relatively tranquil.
Full details about tranquil areas are available on the CPRE's
website.
Light pollution
The House
of Common’s Science Committee’s report on light pollution
and astronomy in 2003 identifies three types of light pollution:
- Sky glow is the orange glow seen over towns (caused by light travelling
through the atmosphere being refracted or scattered by water droplets
or particles (aerosols)).
- Sky glare can be the dazzling effect which prevents the person from
seeing properly at night.
- Light trespass results when light shines from one property into another,
where it is not wanted. All three of these are caused by poorly designed
and excessive levels of lighting.
All three of these forms of light pollution affect the South West and
they are all caused by poorly designed lighting schemes and excessive
levels of lighting.
Light pollution can be detrimental to humans and wildlife, such as insects,
nocturnal mammals, plants and birds in the following the ways:
- Sky glow, creating an orange glow can have a serious affect on the
ability of astronomers as well as the general public to see the stars.
- Increased lighting at night affects flying patterns and can prevent
mammals from using their established foraging areas
- Plants can cease to flower or flower prematurely if the night is
shorter and breeding can occur prematurely in birds.
Although the region remains one of the least light-polluted regions
of the country. The various measurements of light pollution indicate that
it has increased in the South West by almost one-fifth between 1993 and
2000 (see the maps below), with Wiltshire increasing by a quarter (CPRE,
2003). Devon remains as one of the largest expanse of dark skies in the
whole country, predominantly on Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Light pollution maps: South West in 1993 and 2000
(click to enlarge)
Source: CPRE
Full details on light pollution, including further maps, advice on what
you can do to reduce the problem and action underway, is available on
the
CPRE website.
(click images to enlarge)
Light pollution visible on earth
at night
source: Nasa
|
Light pollution visible in Europe
at night
source: Nasa
|
Light pollution in the UK in the early 1990s
source: NOAA / NGD |
Light pollution in the UK in 2000
source: NSRC Ltd / Science Photographic Laboratory |
High hedgerows
 Plants,
and in particular leylandii, can also cause environmental nuisance when
they are invasive or cause problems to humans surrounding them and hedgerows
are a prime example. Although existing legislation entitles people to
cut overhanging branches back to the property line, it does nothing to
restrict hedgerow height.
Changes to the Anti-social Behaviour Bill will give local authorities
the power to intervene in high hedge disputes that neighbours are unable
to resolve. Under the new legislation local authorities could issue formal
notices instructing the reduction of a hedge's height and its long-term
maintenance. Failure to comply with a formal notice could result in a
fine of up to £1000.
Under the new proposals a complaint could be submitted if:
- the hedge in question comprised wholly or predominantly of a line
of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs;
- it was over 2 metres high;
- the hedge acted to some degree as a barrier to light or access; and
- if it was adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment
of their home or garden because of its height.
The new High Hedges legislation, often referred to as the “ Leylandii
legislation” is expected to be operational towards the end of 2004.
Provision has been made in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, for a new
procedure to be created for dealing with complaints about high hedges
in England and Wales.
The advice given is that it is best to settle these disputes amicably
but where negotiation fails, local authorities will be able to review
the case acting as an impartial and independent third party. If the local
authority thinks there is sufficient justification, it will be able to
order the owner to reduce the height of the hedge. However, there is no
general requirement that all hedges should be kept below a certain height.
Background and progress on this legislation is available on the website
of the Office
of the Deputy Prime Minister
 A
new report has been published (24th May 2005) to provide guidance for
local authorities on how to process complaints made about neighbouring
high hedges.
High
hedgerow complaints: prevention and cure provides better information
is important but – especially in new developments – good design,
planning conditions and restrictive covenants can play a part. And local
authorities, housebuilders, landscape architects and contractors, growers
and retailers all have a role.
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