The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 83
Waste vehicles
4A.51 Changes in waste management sought in the Mayor’s Municipal Waste
Management Strategy offer opportunities to improve the handling of
waste. 21 Traditionally, waste collection vehicles have generated annoying
levels and types of noise, at sensitive times of the day. Collection rounds
involve stop-start driving, and bulky collection vehicles often need to
manoeuvre in cramped areas close to noise-sensitive activities. High
noise levels can be generated during on-board waste compaction and
other procedures.
4A.52 A stationary noise test - with the vehicle laden and compacting - would
be more representative than the current unladen ‘drive-by’ test. Traffic
congestion influences the timing of many collection rounds. In future,
reduced congestion could allow a higher priority to be given to local
noise-sensitivity. Sufficient flexibility should, as far as possible, be built
into contracts to allow for such changes, without disproportionate costs.
Stop-start operations may make electric or hybrid vehicles more
attractive. Noise needs to be assessed when vehicles are chosen. Many of
the issues in the sections on Road Freight and London Lorry Ban, above,
also need to be considered by those commissioning, managing or
regulating waste industry transport. Vehicle body design and maintenance
best practice can contribute to reducing noise. 19 Changes to waste
collection regimes could allow quieter vehicles to be used. More farreaching
moves to recycling/composting collections could permit
different, quieter types of vehicles to be introduced. Site licensing of
waste management facilities is covered in Chapter 4E (paragraphs 4E.8
and 9, and Policy 63).
policy 14
As set out in the Mayor’s Municipal Waste Management Strategy, waste
authorities will be encouraged to minimise the noise impact of waste
transportation, especially in respect of night time or early morning
collections, by appropriate vehicle specifications, routeing and operating
practices. This will, as far as possible, be integrated with work to promote
cleaner vehicles, pursuant to the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy.
Bus services
4A.53 Nearly all local scheduled bus services in London are provided by private
companies under contract to Transport for London. The structure of the
network, including routes, service frequency, fares and types of buses, is
determined by the Mayor and Transport for London. There are over 6,000
buses, on over 700 different routes. The Mayor’s Transport Strategy seeks
a greater role for buses in meeting Londoners’ needs, with a programme
to increase bus services by 40% by 2011. The Transport Strategy proposes
more bus priority measures to protect services from traffic congestion.