The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 199
5.14 Given the evolving national and European context, it would be premature
for a London strategy to adopt specific quantified targets. Without
resources and effective instruments, any targets cannot be meaningful. It
is first for national Government to consider overall target setting,
following analysis of exposure, and the costs and benefits of
implementing effective measures. Crucially in the current UK fiscal and
legal framework, the Government must ensure that adequate funding,
incentives and legal powers are available, related to the practical options
for noise reduction. The process proposed by the Government is a lengthy
one. It will help set rational priorities, though it should not delay action
where the need for it is clear.
5.15 This applies particularly to further reductions at source. These are likely to
be increasingly important to cities. National noise mapping can assist in
assessing the relative cost-effectiveness of noise reduction at source, on
the pathway, or at the receptor. It is important that the national strategy
process identifies the relative costs and benefits in ways that reflect the
policy priorities of an urban renaissance. More active noise management
in the local environment should not distract attention from the need for
continued reductions at source.
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The Mayor will work with the Government, boroughs and others to
contribute to National Ambient Noise Strategy, within the evolving
European policy context. The process should not, however, delay action
where the need for it is clear. This applies particularly to continued
reductions at source, notably where international agreements are needed.
Noise mapping
5.16 Government-supported noise mapping is welcomed. London is a key part
of the national picture, given its exceptional size and complexity. 13 The
Mayor and Transport for London are assisting as far as scarce resources
allow. It is, of course, important, that mapping does not become just a
data collection exercise, but provides a practical tool for use by local
authorities and other agencies, although computerised noise mapping
cannot be relied on as the only tool for developing remedial measures.
Further resources are likely to be needed to develop noise mapping at
finer levels of resolution for local purposes.
5.17 It is vital that noise mapping does not dominate policy development or
distort priorities. Maps as currently envisaged only describe part of a
complex picture. Presentation to the public needs to make this clear. This
is not just a ‘level of detail’ issue. Mapping long term ‘averaged’
environmental noise levels across urban areas should not lead to crude
targets which focus action on the small number of parameters which would