The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

58 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
Managing London’s streets
4A.5 Most streets in Greater London have frontage development. Most streets
are used by walkers and cyclists as well as motorised vehicles. Many
demands compete, including distribution - transport of people, goods
and services; access and servicing - including parking and loading; and
amenity - the use of streets as social spaces. Traffic noise can interfere
with conversation in the street, and the enjoyment of gardens or balconies.
Many of London’s streets and buildings were not designed with modern
traffic noise in mind. The Mayor’s Transport Strategy sets priorities for
competing users, with a presumption in favour of distribution functions on
main roads, and in favour of access and amenity on other roads.
Figure 12 Transport for London Road Network
source: Transport for London 4
4A.6 Although Motorways and the Transport for London Road Network (see
Figure 12 and box 19) carry much of London’s traffic, there are many
other busy roads where noise levels are not much lower, and where more
properties may be close to the road. These other busy roads cover many
more kilometres. Partnership working will be needed between the
authorities responsible for different streets to establish noise levels and
priorities, analyse problems, and secure the optimum mix of actions.