The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 203
frameworks, as well as examining the scope for a London Noise Action
Partnership or other mechanisms for joint working.
Costs
5.24 The costs, for the public sector, businesses and individuals, of significantly
reducing ambient noise in London are not currently quantifiable, but
would be high. Such costs need to be considered in the context of
national noise policy development, which will include examination of the
economic and social implications of potential noise reduction measures.
Work on costing options for noise reduction needs to have full regard to
equal opportunities issues, including implications for those on low
incomes, and other population groups who, in that context, might be
more vulnerable. It is essential, not just that noise problems are identified,
but that Government ensures the necessary framework of resources for
regional and local authorities, transport bodies and others to address
them. Past under-funding needs to be recognised in future allocation of
resources - in London, this particularly applies to the condition of road
and railway infrastructure.
5.25 Additional duties need to be accompanied by appropriate powers and
resources, or the process will become discredited. In making the case for
more resources, or for actions with economic implications, the need to
assess costs in relation to benefits 16 is recognised. However, ‘average’
valuations of the worth of a decibel reduction should not be applied
mechanistically. It is important to avoid potential sources of bias between
different types of area. For example, noise mitigation funding should not
be allocated simply in terms of the numbers within modelled exposure
bands. Regard should be paid to the costs of different levels of reduction,
which may be higher in urban rather than suburban areas, and higher for
the worst-affected, rather than for similar levels of reduction at lower
levels of ambient noise. It could be particularly expensive to make large
reductions to a particular guideline level in busy, high density areas.
5.26 Recognising the need to protect soundscape quality where it is good, it is
in the worst-affected areas where people are likely to expect noise
mitigation expenditure to be initially concentrated. To build confidence in
the national noise strategy process, an early fund should be established
for targeted action, at first in the more highly exposed situations.
Recognition should be given to the particular noise burden that London
carries through being the gateway to the UK. This should be reflected by
establishing a London Ambient Noise Fund. This can be justified
independently from arrangements for the rest of the country. It would
provide an essential component in fulfilling the duty to prepare this first
ambient noise strategy given to the Mayor by Parliament.