Get noise picture loud and clear

NOISY neighbourhoods in Oldham can now be monitored using an interactive map.

A new government website, which covers 23 urban areas in England, shows the level of noise from industries, airports, road and rail networks over 24-hour periods or during the night.

Users can search by postcode to monitor noise levels and to check the number of people exposed to the level of sound.

The site is a result of the EU’s Environmental Noise Directive which was proposed after a European Commission paper found that a fifth of EU citizens were exposed to sound levels which could present health risks.

It provides information covering 50,000 miles of roads within urban areas, 18,000 miles of major road networks and 3,000 miles of railway.

The Government said the maps will be used to draw up action plans to reduce unreasonable levels of noise wherever practical.

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

Oldham’s Lib-Dem Euro-MP, Chris Davies, supported the new measures when they were introduced in the European Parliament five years ago.

He said: “The EU measure simply requires that data on noise levels are collected for the first time.

“The maps make it very clear which areas are in most urgent need of measures to reduce noise pollution, but it is up to each government to decide what action to take.

“Using quieter road surfaces or installing noise barriers can make a great difference to the quality of life.”

Campaign groups have welcomed the news but say more must be done to record and act upon noise created by human activity.

The noise maps can be found at www.noisemapping.defra.gov.uk/wps/portal/noise