The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

92 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
an individual noise reduction will often depend on what other noise
sources are present, and how they inter-relate. This implies the need for
assembling bundles of noise reduction measures which can preferably be
implemented together, or at least in planned sequence. Action needs to
be integrated on a local area basis, taking account of other ‘secondary’
sources of annoyance, wherever possible.
4A.69 Works to reduce noise cannot be considered in isolation from measures to
manage the street network for other purposes. Priorities for reducing
noise need to be developed alongside those for speed, road safety, air
quality, energy use, bus priority, provision for cyclists and walkers,
severance, and other issues. The inter-relationships need to be assessed,
including effects on perceptions as well as physical noise levels. Working
with those affected is likely to contribute to increasing satisfaction.
4A.70 A multi-criteria approach is therefore needed, assessing the effectiveness
and suitability of all potential methods of noise-reduction in the particular
circumstances of each section of road in its environment, to achieve the
best combination of outcomes with the resources that can be secured.
Routine ‘Sound Audit’ of changes is needed (see glossary). This should
take account of sound quality and wider soundscape issues, as well as
road traffic noise, narrowly defined. It will ensure that opportunities are
not lost to fine tune, for noise minimisation, schemes originated for other
reasons, such as safety. Assessment methods have historically been
developed primarily for larger inter-urban road schemes. Assessment
methods need to be able to deal with urban-scale and finer-resolution
projects and programmes. Resources devoted to audit or assessment
should, of course, be proportionate to the scale of benefits achievable.
Box 35: Transport for London - Business Plan
Transport for London’s Business Plan for the period 2004/5 to 2009/10
includes key environmental measures being taken by TfL to mitigate
negative impacts of the transport network and to promote sustainable
transport. Relevant work is part of other Business Plan headings, rather
than comprising a separately identified environmental budget. TfL works
on noise reduction through a number of projects, for example, using low
noise surfacing when resurfacing as part of the maintenance programme,
in the bus vehicle replacement programme, etc. TfL Surface Transport
intends to develop its business planning process to enable clearer
identification of how projects support social inclusion, and the Mayor’s
Transport and other strategies, including the London Ambient Noise
Strategy. TfL’s project appraisal for large projects considers noise alongside
other environmental issues.