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Campaigning for action against noise |
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Events/Press Releases More below….Whose Choice & Scottish Branch launch |
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New Report : Whose Choice Is It Anyway? Noise Groups Condemn Plan to Install TV’s on Trains |
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May 2005 A week after commuters locked themselves in the toilets in protest against the plans of the rail company c2c to install televisions on its trains (1), two leading anti-noise groups have condemned c2c's proposals. In a new report issued today, the UK Noise Association and Pipedown (2) have called for a ban on piped music and televisions on trains making short-haul journeys. The report, Whose Choice is it Anyway?, covers piped music and piped television not only on trains, but also in the work place and in hospitals (3). Nigel Rodgers, Secretary of Pipedown, said, "Our report highlights areas where people have no practical alternative other than to listen to the music, whether they like it or not. In the run-up to the General Election the Government talks a lot about choice. Such choice apparently does not extend to commuters trapped on trains by the noise of televisions or to those patients lying in their hospital beds, often literally powerless to escape. And many employees feel that the only choice they have is suffer in silence or risk losing their job. Some choice!" The report's recommendations for the next Government include; a ban on piped music and piped television on short-haul train journeys; a ban on piped music and television noise in the public areas of hospitals; mandatory use of head-phones for in-patients in hospital wards; and a comprehensive study of the long-term ill effects of piped music on employees to be carried out. Val Weedon, Co-ordinator of the UK Noise Association, said, "The next Government needs to take the problem seriously. We will be looking for some action after eight years of inactivity. This report highlights the real human distress caused by the Government's continued inaction." ENDS Notes for Editors: (1). The protest took place on February 8th on the Fenchurch Line into London from Essex. (2). The UK Noise Association is the national organisation which lobbies for action by government and local authorities level to deal with noise problems. Pipedown campaigns against unwanted piped music and piped television. (3). Full report on request For further information contact: Nigel Rodgers on 07971 518976 Val Weedon, 07887 940004 |
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Reception at Scottish Parliament to Launch Scottish Branch of Noise Lobby Group |
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8 December 2004 The Scottish branch of the UK Noise Association will be launched at a lunchtime reception to be held in the Scottish Parliament on 8th December (1). The reception, to be hosted by Nora Radcliffe MSP, is expected to a significant number of MSPs. John Stewart, the national Chair of the UK Noise Association, will tell the reception that the European Noise Directive will require the Scottish Parliament to carry out noise mapping and draw up action plans to deal with the noisiest areas (2). Stewart, who will be coming up from London for the reception, said: "Scotland is leading the way in dealing with noisy neighbours through the measures it has taken to combat anti-social behaviour. The challenge now is to produce noise maps of road and aircraft noise and to come up with action plans to tackle the worst affected areas." Nora Radcliffe MSP said, "I am delighted to be hosting this important reception. Noise is a problem affecting many of our constituents. I welcome the efforts to push it up the political agenda." The Chair of the new Scottish Branch, Professor Frank McManus (3), said, "For too long noise has been the forgotten pollutant. Yet for many people it is a serious problem. The noise climate has got worse in recent years as a result of the big increase in the number of cars on our roads and planes in our skies as well as the fact that many of us have more powerful sound systems that we had before. We will be lobbying the Parliament to take the necessary measures to improve the noise climate." ENDS Notes for Editors: (1). The reception will take place on 8th December from 12.30pm - 1.30pm in Room Q1-07 of the Scottish Parliament. Refreshments will be served. (2). The European Noise Directive, published in 2003, requires member states to produce ambient noise maps (initially for their larger urban areas) and, on the basis of the findings, draw up action plans to deal with the noisiest areas. Ambient noise covers noise from roads, rail, air and outdoor construction sites. Noise mapping is underway in England (being carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), but so far has not been undertaken by the Scottish Parliament. (3). Professor McManus is Professor of Law at Napier University. He is the author of a number of publications on noise and the law. For further information contact: Professor Frank McManus on 0131 455 3512 or 07957 548789 Nora Radcliffe MSP via the Scottish Parliament John Stewart, Chair UK Noise Association on 0207 737 6641 or 07957 385650 |
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CAMPAIGNERS PLOT: RETAILERS URGED TO SELL QUIETER FIREWORKS |
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14 October 2005 It may be the 400th Anniversary of Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot (1), but campaigners are hoping that new controls for fireworks will lead to quieter celebrations this year. Retailers are being urged to make available, particularly for families, the quieter fireworks that many suppliers have on offer. Buyers for the key supermarkets are also being asked that if they haven’t considered it for this year, would they consider it for next year? Val Weedon, National Peace and Quiet Campaigner for the UK Noise Association says: “New legislation introduced this year, includes restrictions on the sale of fireworks, a limit on the noise level and a curfew on the time that fireworks may be let off (2). We are delighted that many suppliers now include “quieter collections” in the range of fireworks they sell. Although most of UK fireworks are supplied from abroad, we hope that the combination of tighter controls here in the UK and demand by the public will put pressure on suppliers, including retailers, to provide more selections of fireworks that emit less noise. Standard Fireworks, one of the most popular range of family fireworks, told us they have always complied with regulations and will obviously be responding to these new ones. We have also contacted some of the top supermarkets, such as ASDA, the Coop, Sainsburys, Tesco and Morrisons. So far Tesco seem to be the only ones that have a clear policy on Firework Sales. They say they don’t sell nuisance fireworks, such as cheap, small, noisy rockets and definitely no airbombs! Their boxed selections also have a “Bang” rating, giving families a clear choice on those more suitable for people who have young children and pets, who often don’t like loud bangs and fireworks that emit scary noises.” Apart from celebrations around November 5th, increasing numbers of people are now having professional firework displays as part of their wedding, anniversary or special birthdays celebration. Again, many suppliers are proving that it is possible to create a spectacular display without having excessive noise. (3) Campaigners are hoping that new regulations will lead to a less noisy climate, but if things don’t improve they have warned that the only alternative would be to press for a complete ban on the sale of fireworks to members of the public. ENDS Further information: Val Weedon MBE 0207 329 0774(w) 07887 940004(m) 1. 2005 is the 400th Anniversary of The Gunpowder Plot. Devised by Robert Catesby in 1604, it was a scheme to kill King James and as many members of Parliament as possible. Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed on November 5th, the day of the opening of parliament. (www.guyfawkes.me.uk) 2. Further information on new regulations : www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks/ 3. A selection of companies that provide “quiet” collections: http://www.fantasticfireworks.co.uk/newsArticle.asp?itemID=9&archive=0 http://wwwGforcefireworks.ltd.uk/quiet_displays.html |
