Campaigning for action against noise

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TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE NOISE: HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM?

 

December 2006

 

The UK Noise Association has launched an on-line survey to assess the problem of traffic and vehicle noise.

The findings will provide vital information needed to press for noise reduction and influence future UK and European policy.  

 

Areas of concern already identified are: increasing traffic volumes, the Boom car craze (loud in-car music systems), noisy exhausts, emergency vehicle sirens and reversing alarms on lorries. 

 

It is estimated that 32 million people in the UK are affected by noise.  Traffic noise and vehicle noise are likely to have a growing impact on the population.  The EU have already issued a Noise Directive requiring member states to produce noise maps by the year 2007, with Action Plans to reduce noise by 2008.   The UK government is also drawing up a National Noise Strategy that should go out for public consultation in 2007. 

 

Val Weedon, National Coordinator for the UK Noise Association says:

 

“Public opinion is very important when it comes to influencing change and running a survey is an excellent way of getting feedback.  We have already been collaborating with other key organisations such as the RAC Foundation, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, the Noise Abatement Society and the National Society for Environmental Protection.  Together we hope to put the issue of traffic and vehicle noise reduction higher on the political agenda.”

 

The Survey will run until the beginning of 2007 and can be accessed via the UK Noise Association web site www.ukna.org.uk

 

ENDS

 

Val Weedon,  National Coordinator, UKNA  Tel: 01634 316542 or  07887 940004 (m)  val@ukna.org.uk

 

Further information below…...

Traffic and Vehicle Noise

 

The UK Noise Association has received increasing complaints about the noise caused by traffic and vehicles (in the form of noisy exhausts and excessively loud in-car stereo systems known as “boom cars”).

 

Therefore the UKNA looked into collaborating with other key organisations that have an interest in these area.  The first meeting took place on 14th September, with a follow up meeting planned for 17th November.

 

The key areas discussed at the first meeting were:

 

1. The revision of the 2002 EU Noise Directive in 2007

2. Consultation on the UK Noise Strategy in 2007

3. Requirements in the 2002 Noise Directive for member states to produce Noise Maps by 2007 and Noise Action Plans by 2008

 

Other Areas to be covered:

 

1. Traffic speeds, volume and quieter road surfaces

2. Noise Barriers

3. Tyre Noise

4. Boom Cars (in-car stereo systems)

5. Emergency vehicle sirens

6. Tranquil maps from CPRE

7. Street Audits (“Living Streets” conduct walks to assess what sort of streets people like to live in)

8. Night time deliveries

9. Public opinion

 

 

If you represent an organisation or group concerned in any of the above areas, please contact us to see how you can get involved.

 

If you are a member of the public please take a moment to take part in our survey.  Thank You.