The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

210 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
A1 implementation framework
The Government has yet to take key decisions regarding the national
legislative and resource framework for ambient noise. Responsibilities for
noise action planning under European Directive 2002/49/EC have yet to
be allocated across UK organisations, including the division of
responsibility between the Mayor, the London boroughs and others.
Road traffic noise mapping of London, not completed at the time of
writing, will need to be analysed to inform actions and priorities across
the different organisations which are given duties. Noise mapping
according to Directive requirements also needs to be carried out for
railway, industrial and aircraft noise. The Directive sets a 5-yearly cycle of
noise mapping as a primary monitoring mechanism. Other monitoring,
evaluation and target-setting will need to be developed to make most
cost-effective use of this framework.
At present, fewer bodies are active in managing ambient noise than is the
case with other Mayoral strategies. Policy 89 states that the Mayor will
work with existing partnerships, boroughs and others to assess how better
noise management can be incorporated into their planning and
implementation frameworks. It also states that he will examine the scope
for a London Noise Action Partnership, or other mechanisms for joint
working. Building effective partnerships for action requires that, as
responsibilities are clarified, partners are encouraged to contribute
creatively towards implementation planning.
For these reasons, fewer actions appear at this stage as ‘Proposals’ and
more as ‘Policies’ than is the case with some of the Mayor’s other
strategies. Table 5 sets out London Ambient Noise Strategy Proposals
under key themes. Actions, including projects, will, however, be initiated
in pursuit of Strategy Policies, as opportunities occur, and as the legal
framework and available resources allow. Table 6 summarises the
Proposals, with information on implementation. Table 7 sets out key
policy milestones on the timeline to 2016.