More than 80% of Londoners say mental health impacted by construction noise in last year

More than 80% of Londoners say their mental health has been negatively affected by noise pollution from a construction project in the last year, new research has revealed.

The survey, commissioned by urban impact agency Urban Thinking, revealed 81% of Londoners believe their mental health has been harmed by construction noise in the last 12 months.

More than one in ten living in the city (11%) reported that their mental health had been ‘significantly affected’.

Dusan Durdevic, Senior Manager at Urban Thinking, said the survey identified the toll construction noise was taking on Londoners’ mental wellbeing.

“Mental health features more prominently in the public discourse and is rightly being taken more seriously than ever before,” he said.

“Cities can be noisy places, with the constant sound of construction noise and traffic difficult to escape.

“Many in London will enjoy the feeling of constant activity this noise creates, but for some it can negatively affect their mental wellbeing.

“As we prepare to mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, I think it is important we take into account, and try to limit, the harm noise can have in urban areas.”

Urban Thinking’s research has also revealed that one in three Londoners (32%) have been negatively affected by construction noise more than three times in the last year.

Mr Durdevic added: “As an urban impact agency, we support construction companies in managing their sites in the planning stage to keep noise to a minimum and reduce the impact on local communities.

“As our research reveals, construction noise can have a significant impact on neighbouring communities, and anything the sector can do to reduce this harm is welcome.

“Traffic management is also key to this, as large vehicles bringing in equipment and materials, as well as associated traffic buildup, have the risk of increasing noise in an area, which can have a negative effect on people’s lives, including their mental health.”

For more on Urban Thinking’s project planning and environmental impact services, see www.urbanthinking.com