Twitter Facebook RSS FEEDS

New noise mapping service launched

Friday, 16 May 2008 12:00 AM

A new government noise mapping service has been launched by environment minister Jonathan Shaw.

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 Mr 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 urban areas highlighted in the maps include Blackpool, Brighton, Coventry, Hull, Leicester, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Teeside, Tyneside and West Yorkshire.

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 government produced maps can be found here.

Chris O'Toole

Related stories

Father and son working together outdoors

New ‘community qualification’ launched by CIH

Housing organisations will now be able to reward tenants who perform valuable unpaid work with a ‘community qualification’.

 First-time buyers receive the keys to their property

New 95% mortgage launched for first-time buyers

Principality’s Assisted First-Time Buyer deal allows families to use their savings to secure mortgages for relatives.
Shelter is stepping up the pressure on London's mayoral candidates.

New campaign launched on Homes for London

Shelter wants candidates for mayor to make housing a top priority in the capital.

AssuredSale is an online service acting as a middle-man between buyers and sellers.

New service targets failed property transactions

Almost a third of property sales fall through, costing buyers and sellers an average of £1,000.
Man at computer

New online UK property archive is launched

A major property website has launched a new facility which allows users to see house details never previously available.

 Moving

New shared ownership web tool launched

Buyers have access to "clear and robust" affordability information on shared-ownership housing through the new website.
Seventy-nine per cent wanted to know if there are unpleasant smells from a nearby sewage works. Image:Thinkstock

Safety, noise and smells are main buyer concerns

Transport secretary approves high speed train line with extra help for homes on route.

 Strategic real estate advisory service launched

Strategic real estate advisory service launched

Strategic real estate advisory service launched
The service has been set up to provide experts to advise on development plan documents

Expert advisors service launched to aid development plans

Expert advisors service launched to aid development plans

Man working at computer

New site launches for private tenancy agreements

A new site has launched claiming to be the “legally watertight” way for landlords and tenants to enter a private arrangement.

Search property

Headlines

Directory

Alaris

Alaris Logo
Alaris specialise in quality Bathrooms and Kitchens along with many other unique products for your home. The range of kitchens, kitchen worktops and bathrooms is extensive and the highest quality so you are sure to find what you want. New bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, taps, showers and cabinets are added regularly.

Bathrooms365

Bathrooms365 Logo
Bathroom365 supply all areas of your new bathroom - leading-edge designed bathroom suites, stylish bathroom taps and showers, all styles and forms of shower enclosures and a vast collection of bathroom furniture.

Fitmykitchen

Fitmykitchen Logo
Fitmykitchen are specialist suppliers of kitchen appliances, sink taps, waste bins and furniture. So whatever you want from kitchen sink taps to waste bins look no further than fitmykitchen, UK, the specialist suppliers of kitchen appliances, stainless steel sink taps, waste bins and kitchen furniture.

MyStampDuty

MyStampDuty Logo
We help people buying property all over the UK to minimise Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential and commercial property. If you are looking at purchasing a new home or business premises over £500,000, contact us today by completing the form on the right

Oak Furniture Land

Oak Furniture Land Logo
For hardwood furniture, including Solid Oak, Mango, Mahogany, Sheesham, Acacia, Ash and Birch, look no further than Oak Furniture Land.

Rated People

Rated People Logo
Whatever type of home improvement or garden remodelling project you have, Rated People can help you to identify the right tradesmen for the job in a way that is quick, easy, convenient and, as it is based on real-life recommendations, trustworthy.

Residential Land

Residential Land Logo
If you are looking for short or long term rentals in Central London, Residential Land have a portfolio of over 1200 flats and houses in the best postcodes across the Capital.

Simply Bedrooms

Simply Bedrooms Logo
Simply Bedrooms, a part of Sleepwell Bedrooms Ltd, supplying quality beds, wardrobes, sliding door wardrobes and bedroom furniture at low prices and great service, London and Home Counties Specialists.

Door Handles UK

Door Handles UK Logo
Door Handles UK is the UK's largest online range of Door Handle accessories, Door Hinges, Locks and Latches and so much more and all at genuine internet prices. We have a wide range of Chrome, Brass and Glass Crystal Mortice door knobs in both traditional and contemporary designs, whatever your taste and budget you will find a design to suit.

Woodlands Furniture

Woodlands Furniture Logo
We are an established family business situated in rural Herefordshire specialising in beautiful handcrafted classic reproduction furniture. Our comprehensive ranges are readily available from stock.

WowBBQ

WowBBQ Logo
Welcome to the World of Weber. We are the largest independent online Weber BBQ retailer in the United Kingdom. WOWbbq.co.uk is a Weber Partner Store and can give you the best advice for all your Weber BBQ needs.

Join our directory aboutproperty.co.uk

Twitter

Join the conversation at #aboutproperty

Directory articles

Useful tips to help find a flat in London

Looking for flats in London can be a frustrating process, given the capital's size, demand for rental accommodation and varying prices. It is vital, therefore, that you do plenty of research and act quickly to ensure you get the place that you want.

What do you need to consider when buying a mattress?

If you looking for a new mattress, you need to get the decision right, as getting it wrong could impact on your overall health and wellbeing. As well as comfort and size, you also need to consider other points, such as any health issues you may have.

FAQs about commercial stamp duty

If you want to relocate to larger premises, you need to know about commercial stamp duty. Different rates apply than with residential property, however, like residential buyers, you could potentially benefit from stamp duty mitigation.