The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 69
cable and other companies) to comply with a prescribed specification when
reinstating a street after works. However, rigorous inspection regimes need
to be adopted to secure high quality work by utility companies or their
contractors. Proposal 4G.24 of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy proposed
investigation of a ‘lane rental’ system that highway authorities could use to
give a financial incentive to utilities for the rapid completion of
streetworks. This will need to balance faster working against a reduction in
the length of time noise may be caused, along with other factors including
equipment and methods promoted. Lane rental could also encourage the
use of trenchless insertion and other quieter, less disruptive techniques.
The concept of introducing ducting for future service expansion when
roads are being dug up, as has been carried out in the City of London, can
help to avoid disruption in the future.
Box 25: Transport for London Roadworks
Transport for London is aware of the annoyance caused by noise from
roadworks, particularly at night. It examines any need for working outside
normal daytime hours very carefully. Difficult balances have to be taken
into account when planning roadworks. Transport for London needs to
carry out higher levels of maintenance due to under-investment in the
past, but does not wish unduly to disrupt the travelling public, including
bus users. It is therefore sometimes necessary to work at night to avoid
these problems, although each case is considered on its merits.
Transport for London do not, however, wish to disturb residents. Practice
is to discuss the proposed works with local authorities well in advance to
agree working methods and times. These are incorporated in tenders or
work instructions issued to contractors. Transport for London liaises with
borough Environmental Health Officers to ensure that work is carried out
as smoothly as possible. Transport for London also advise local people in
advance, usually by leaflet, about larger maintenance schemes.
In the case of night working, it is Transport for London’s usual practice to
complete the noiser planing works (removal of old surface) between 8 pm
and 11.30-12 pm, and to resurface, which is less noisy, after that. If
Transport for London stopped work earlier, the total working period would
need to be longer. The attempt is to achieve a balance between
competing needs. This includes balancing the noise that local people are
subject to when roadworks take place, and the benefits from better road
surfaces which cause less noise in the long term. Consultation with
borough Environmental Health Officers should always take place.
Considerate Contractor/Considerate Roadworks schemes can also help by
encouraging good practice and better ways of undertaking works on the
highway. ‘Ownership’ of the works and any associated noise, together