The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 11
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Mental health - ambient noise is not thought to be a primary cause,
though it is possible that it may be an accelerating or intensifying
factor. Further research could help to identify if particular groups are
more at risk.
Work performance - evidence suggests background noise can increase
performance in routine work, but impair performance in tasks requiring
use of longer term memory and concentration. Background levels in
many modern offices, for example, tend to be higher than in the past.
Improving conditions for workers needs to address internal noise
sources as well as ambient noise.
Learning - there has been concern that on-going exposure to ambient
noise during childhood can impair reading and language acquisition,
reduce motivation, and particularly affect more complex tasks. Studies
include Evans et al, 1995 10 and 1998 11 , Haines et al, 2001 12 , and Shield
B and Dockrell J, 2002. 13 Studies are continuing. A current
international study includes schools in West London. 14 Many schools
are affected not only by ambient noise from roads, railways and
aircraft, but by high levels of noise interference between one learning
activity and others.
Social behaviour - Studies 5,15 suggest that noise can encourage people to
become more withdrawn, and less helpful to neighbours. It is unlikely that
noise itself causes actual aggression, but noisy environments can make
people feel less safe, or may actually be less safe if, for example, people
are less able to hear a potential attacker approaching.
Erosion of tranquillity - Government consultation on national ambient
noise strategy focused on rural tranquillity, such as highlighted by the
Council for the Protection of Rural England. 16 Within London, concern
has been expressed at the erosion of tranquillity in many of London’s
open spaces. 17 Even within busy, high density areas, havens of
tranquillity can often be found in courtyards and other enclosed
spaces, as well as in formal public open space. It is difficult to put a
value on the importance of such spaces for respite and recuperation in
busy urban areas.
Changes in noise
2.10 Acknowledging the shortcomings in data available, analysis 18 suggested
that noise environments across Europe were likely, without ambitious
noise abatement policies, to remain unsatisfactory or even deteriorate.
This would be due to:
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Increases in the number and power of noise sources, and the
increasing use made of them (especially in transport);
Geographical dispersion of noise sources, including urban development,
new transport facilities, spread of leisure and tourist activity;