Noise pollution is something many Londoners either put up with or simply accept as an unavoidable part of life in a big city – but it can have a tangible impact on people’s lives.
Urban Thinking’s own research, a survey of people living in the capital, has shown one in eight people questioned have been negatively impacted by construction noise over the last year.
Here, we explore the impact infrastructure and construction noise can have on individuals and communities – and why it is crucial to plan ahead to mitigate its impact.
As a consultancy involved in infrastructure planning and compliance facilitation, we like to keep up to date with all the latest news and developments in the industry.
One article that really struck a chord with us recently was a powerful piece in the Evening Standard about construction noise in the city – the ‘capital’s cacophony’, as it was fittingly referred to.
The article includes an interview with a woman with MS who runs a disability support company, who says she has been increasingly sensitive to noise following her diagnosis, particularly loud music and construction noise.
She referred to the sound of banging feeling like ‘nails on a chalkboard’, causing her real distress, bringing on painful and long-lasting migraines.
It is sometimes easy to think that noise from infrastructure and construction developments is simply just a part of life in the city and can be tolerated with a minimum of discomfort by those of us who have become acclimatised to it.
Though there are numerous benefits to living in a bustling city or town it is unfortunate that, for some people, dismissing the very real problem posed by noise disturbance just isn’t an option.
There are some, as the article says, who like the ‘buzz’ of the city – the sound of cars and motorcycles whizzing by, the beep of traffic lights, the music and sound coming from lively summer barbecues – but we think even they would say the sound of a pneumatic drill or other power tools don’t make a positive contribution to the ambience.
A survey commissioned by Urban Thinking has revealed 82% of people living in London have been negatively affected by construction noise in the last year, with one in three (32%) saying they have been negatively impacted more than three times in the last year.
It’s an issue that needs to be addressed as, without proper awareness during the planning process and noise mitigation where possible, there are concerns the city’s noise problem will only get worse over time as the city evolves, making life here intolerable for some of our most vulnerable residents.
It doesn’t only affect individuals and communities – it can harm businesses too. This is because it damages the reputation of the industry in general, giving the impression of it being inconsiderate towards those living in the local area.
The vast majority of construction companies go the extra mile to limit and mitigate against noise pollution, using acoustic barriers like Echo Barrier and limiting work between certain hours of the day to reduce its impact.
But for some, with all the complexities of a large infrastructure or construction project, it can be one issue that is sometimes lower down the list of priorities than it should be.
At Urban Thinking, we can help construction companies and developers navigate issues with noise, helping them to move forward successfully with their projects, while keeping the public safe from harmful noise exposure.
We support our clients to navigate noise legislation and identify ways they can limit, or mitigate, the sound affecting the local community, reducing the risk of their project being blocked by local authorities or receiving angry complaints from local residents.
For more on Urban Thinking and our environmental impact services, noise mapping and modelling services, see here.