New Laws on Environmental Noise
Three separate pieces of legislation have been issued covering the issue of environmental noise. The Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 came into force on 1st October 2006, with the Environmental Noise (Wales) Regulations 2006 and the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006 entering into force on 4th and 5th October, respectively. These regulations implement Directive 2002/49/EC in relation to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The new Regulations cover noise from a variety of sources related to road, rail, air traffic, and industry, focusing on the impact of noise on individuals.
The Regulations require strategic noise maps to be prepared for managing noise in a variety of urban and civil contexts. Provisions include:
- That the making of strategic noise maps will occur in two rounds, the first in 2007 and the second in 2012. Subsequent strategic noise maps will have to be made every five years.
- The Secretary of State will identify the noise sources for which strategic noise maps must be made.
- Strategic noise maps will be produced for large urban areas, major roads, major railways and major airports.
- Airport operators will be required to make strategic noise maps for airports that are not designated under the Civil Aviation Act 1982.
The regulations also set out which noise indicators should be used and methods to be utilised in calculating the values of noise indicators.
To view the English, Scottish or Welsh versions of the regulations, visit:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20062238.htm
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2006/20060465.htm
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2006/20062629e.htm
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 06/11/06)