Noise maps will lead to a quiter life

7:10am Saturday 17th May 2008

Bradford Council is to make use of new maps showing the level of environmental noise from road and rail networks, major industries and airports, which were published online for the first time yesterday.

The maps, which cover 23 urban areas in England including West Yorkshire, have been made available by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).

It is hoped the maps will help to reduce unwanted noise pollution and protect designated quiet areas.

Users are able to search by postcode to access maps showing different levels of noise from the various sources over a 24-hour period, or during night-time hours only.

The maps cover 50,000 miles of urban roads, 17,000 miles of major road networks, almost 3,000 miles of railways and the areas surrounding 18 airports.

The site also includes information on the number of people exposed to the levels of noise, which is measured from threshold of hearing (0 decibels) to threshold of pain (120 decibels). A library averages about 40dB, while a pneumatic drill measures 95dB. Brian Anderson, environmental health manager for Bradford Council, said: "We will be using these noise maps and working with Defra to help manage and reduce noise levels where appropriate."

Environment Minister Jonathan Shaw said: "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 tranqu il. These maps provide the most comprehensive snapshot yet of noise in our country, all at the click of a mouse.

"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."

Kirklees Council has also pledged to analyse the maps alongside its population data for the area to help manage noise levels and reduce them where possible.

Councillor David Hall, Kirklees cabinet member for environment, said: "The Council will carry out its own measurements and analysis in order to validate the accuracy of this map in some areas."

The maps are available at on the Defra website at defra. gov.uk/noisemapping e-mail: jo.winrow @telegraphandargus.co.uk