9 - Noise Mapping

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Noise mapping in the UK owes its existence, as does much of UK environmental law, to the EU. Directive 2002/49/EC (the END Directive) was the most important measure the EU had taken in relation to ambient noise. Environmental noise mainly consists of noise from transport sources such as road, rail and aviation. The END addresses this problem. The END represents the flagship of the EU in its attempt to address environmental noise. The END's main objective is to establish a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce, on a prioritised basis, the harmful effects, including annoyance, caused by exposure to environmental noise. That policy is to be implemented inter alia by the determination of exposure to environmental noise, through noise mapping by methods of assessment that are common to the Member States, and by ensuring that information on environmental noise, and its effects, is made available to the public. The scope of the END is wide-ranging and applies to environmental noise that humans are exposed to, particularly in built-up areas, in public parks or other quiet areas in an agglomeration, in quiet areas in the open country, near schools, hospitals and other noise-sensitive buildings and areas. However, the END does not apply to noise caused by the exposed person themselves, noise from domestic activities, noise created by neighbours, noise at work places or noise inside means of transport or due to military activities in military areas.

COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

Under the END Directive Member States are required to designate the appropriate levels of competent authorities and bodies responsible for implementing the END. This includes authorities responsible for making and, where relevant, approving noise maps and action plans for agglomerations, major roads, major railways, major airports and also, collecting noise maps and action plans.

NOISE INDICATORS

Member States are required to use noise indicators L den(lower case) and L night (lower case) as referred to in Annex I for the preparation and revision of strategic noise mapping in accordance with art 7 (below).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The values of L den (lower case) and L night (lower case) require to be determined by means of assessment methods that are defined in Annex II.