Westminster, United Kingdom

Westminster’s sound environment is complex and noise is a serious issue. In 2008-2009  the council received 19,026 noise service requests. Compared to outer London and the rest of the UK it is relatively noisy in Westminster and the quieter night time period is short. Noise levels at the rear of properties tend to be significantly lower than at the front of properties. 

Average noise levels in Westminster are 62 decibels (dB) LAeq in the day (07:00 – 19:00 hrs) and 55.7dB LAeq in the night (23:00 – 07:00 hrs). This is significantly higher than in outer London and in common with most urban areas.

Road traffic is the main source of noise in Westminster, and it is the biggest cause for concern amongst residents. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of residents questioned said that road traffic noise had bothered them in the last 12 months. Other major sources of noise include construction work, roadworks, neighbours, commercial premises, air conditioning units and aircraft. Figure 1 presents a noise map of Westminster.

Figure 1: Westminster, London noise map.

 

In response to concerns about noise, Westminster City Partnership (WCP) made a commitment to tackle noise pollution. WCP produced the Westminster City Plan 2006-2016 (Sustainable Community Strategy) which sets out a vision for Westminster’s future and highlights this commitment to take action to reduce noise and protect noise sensitive and quieter areas. To enable this, the council decided to produce Westminster’s first Noise Strategy, and has:

• Carried out research on the city’s sound environment

• Established a panel of noise experts to provide advice on the strategy

• Consulted with the public on the scope and detail of the noise strategy, this included formal consultation on a Noise Issues and Options Report, 2008 and formal consultation on draft of this noise strategy in summer 2009.

The aim of the Westminster Noise Strategy is to contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of Westminster’s residents, workers and visitors by reducing noise pollution and enhancing the city’s sound environment.

Minimising noise impacts is complicated by the large number of different noise sources, where they are and when they cause a problem. Noise sensitive developments are often in close proximity to noise generating developments. These challenges to developing comprehensive noise strategies are further complicated by the number of different organisations with noise management responsibilities and powers.

Councils have limited powers in relation to many noise sources, but Westminster City Council has taken action to reduce noise pollution and its impacts in many ways. This has included:

 

• A 24 hour, year round reactive Noise Team service which deals with noisy neighbours, building sites, plant noise, burglar alarms, noisy licensed premises and a host of other environmental problems

• The introduction in 2008 of a proactive noise service which tackles the most longstanding and difficult to resolve problems

• Developing strong noise policies, in consultation with the community, as part of the council’s Unitary Development Plan and Statement of Licensing Policy

• Applying a Code of Construction Practice to minimise environmental impact during construction of major projects

• Investing in infrastructure to support quieter transport modes – such as electric car re-charging points

• Working with entertainment venues to assess their noise impact and ensure preventative solutions are implemented

• Acoustic monitoring, data collection and analysis to gain evidence for use in enforcement related to planning and licensing matters

• Setting noise limits on outdoor concerts and events and monitoring these for compliance

• Taking action to minimise noise from the council’s own waste collection services and street cleansing services including:

- glass recycling bank collections are restricted to 07:00 – 22:00 hrs and in parts of Soho with higher numbers of residents 08:00 – 22:00 hrs

- using quieter plastic tipped shovels

- restricting the hours of mechanical sweepers

- implementing an eco driver training system which also has noise reduction benefits.

The strategy has been informed by several research studies on the city’s noise environment, a review of relevant policies and legislation and results of consultation on the Noise Issues and Options Report, 2007 and the draft Noise Strategy, 2009. The strategy is shaped by four key objectives:

• Reducing noise levels

• Reducing noise incidents

• Minimising the impact of noise on noise sensitive developments

• Protecting and creating tranquil areas and sounds with positive associations.

There are four noise policies designed to help achieve these:

1. Noise conscious city management, planning and licensing

2. Reducing transport and servicing noise and impacts 

3. Integrated noise management and enforcement

4. Tranquil areas and positive sounds.

The strategy also includes a series of short, medium and long-term actions that have been developed to bring about improvements in the council’s operations and to facilitate lobbying and engagement with external organisations.

Source: City of Westminster, Westminster Noise Strategy 2010 – 2015, available from http://www.westminster.gov.uk/workspace/assets/publications/Final-Westminster-Noise-Strategy-1269269299.pdf