The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 241
Assessment
Section 370(2)(b) of the GLA Act 1999 requires a London ambient noise
strategy to include ‘an assessment of the impact of the Mayor’s
strategies... on ambient noise levels in Greater London’. The nature and
extent of such assessment is not defined. As in respect of section
370(2)(a), the Mayor has had regard to the cost and time that would
have been involved in establishing comprehensive, representative
information on ambient noise levels across London, and to the duty to act
responsibly in using resources. Government-supported noise mapping,
expected by 2004 should enable the broad impact of strategic actions
such as noise-reducing road surfaces to be assessed. A European
Environmental Noise Directive is expected to take effect shortly.
Requirements include noise mapping, and the preparation of action plans.
The UK Government has not yet indicated how it would incorporate such
requirements into domestic law, or what guidance it would give to those
charged with relevant responsibilities.
Preparation of the Mayor’s ambient noise strategy has been closely linked
with his other strategies. Policies have been developed to be mutually
supportive, as far as reasonable and practicable, and with regard to the
need for consistency. Having regard to the limited availability of
information, scarce resources, and the changing context, paragraphs 3.30
onwards in chapter 3 assess the impact of the Mayor’s other strategies
qualitatively. Much of the content of these other strategies will be most
effectively and economically assessed as strategic policies and proposals
are translated into site-specific form. Proposals with potential impact on
ambient noise levels will be subject to noise assessment at a variety of
stages, through to planning application stage.
Action
Section 370(2)(c) of the GLA Act 1999 requires a London ambient noise
strategy to include ‘a summary of action taken, or proposed to be taken, by
the Mayor for the purpose of promoting measures to reduce ambient noise
levels in Greater London and the impact of such noise levels on those living
and working in Greater London’. The nature of such a summary is not
defined. The Executive Summary at the beginning of this strategy, and
Appendix A1 may be taken as fulfilling this duty, or the whole strategy may
be taken as a summary of action taken or proposed to be taken.
International obligations notified to the Mayor
The Mayor must have regard to consistency with any European Union
treaties and international obligations of which he is informed by the
Secretary of State. The following were notified to the Mayor by the
Minister for London on 27 November 2000: