The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 157
policy 61
policy 62
The Mayor will urge boroughs, the Port of London Authority, British
Waterways, the Environment Agency and others with responsibilities for
London’s Blue Ribbon Network to consider the need for frameworks for
managing water soundscapes. Elements include noise mapping,
measurement and attitude surveys, access to quiet, and, having full regard
to the needs of a working river or waterway, exploring designation of
Areas of Relative Tranquillity or Special Soundscape Interest.
The Mayor will urge boroughs in their Unitary Development Plans, and the
Port of London Authority, British Waterways, the Environment Agency and
other agencies through their plans and management regimes, to include
measures to protect and enhance soundscapes on or adjoining appropriate
water spaces. This includes screening by buildings and development over
noise sources, design of bridge parapets and other features, to reduce
noise on and in the vicinity of appropriate water space.
References and notes
1 ‘Modern Ports: A UK Policy’ DETR, 2000. See
http://www.shipping.dft.gov.uk/index.htm
2 ‘Waterways for Tomorrow’ DETR, June 2000. See
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/bw/tomorrow/index.htm
3 An effective enforcement framework is likely to require the establishment,
in agreement with riparian local authorities and others, of river noise
guidelines, covering, for example, noise limiter settings and other criteria.
4 ‘Strategic Planning Guidance for the River Thames’, RPG3B/9B,
Department of the Environment, February 1997
5 ‘Safeguarded Wharves on the River Thames’ Consultation Draft, Greater
London Authority, April 2003.
6 In consultation on this strategy, British Waterways identified busy road
and railway bridge crossings as the most significant source of noise on its
waterways in London (13 June 2003). Transparent materials can, in
principle, reduce traffic impacts while retaining an open visual aspect.
7 For example, locks and weirs on the canals. In some contexts,
reverberant under-bridge spaces can be features of interest (though see
also previous note).