Noise News
Below are links to stories about noise in relation to airports and aviation.
CAA produces its 2nd Insight Note, on aviation and the environment
The CAA has published its Insight note in relation to climate change, noise and air pollution. This is one of 3 documents in which the regulator sets out its views (its members are the aviation industry). Its aim, therefore, is to find ways to mitigate the problems while allowing UK aviation to grow. The CAA says that without a global ‘cap and trade’ scheme, the EU ETS is the next best option for meeting the carbon challenge. On noise they acknowledge that there needs to be much more recognition of the extent of the problem but only add the anodyne comment that they hope to reduce "the numbers of people affected by noise and encouraging industry to better engage with their local communities to try to create consensus in support of sustainable development".
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New planning policy ‘completely omits aircraft noise issues’ – says Hounslow
Hounslow council has expressed concern that the new planning policy could see pressure from developers to build in areas most affected by noise from Heathrow Airport. They say the Draft NPPF has "completely omitted" the "inhumanity of living in areas most affected by aircraft noise". The borough is classified as one of the noisiest places in Europe, due to Heathrow. Under the NPPF local authorities would lose clear guidance on siting new developments in noisy areas.
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The Soundscape Project for children around Heathrow to experience peace and quiet
The Soundscape Project has been set up by Julia Welchman, after years of campaigning and researching the impact of high noise levels on young children's education. The project aims to give children the chance to experience time in quiet environments, with the chance to hear each other well, and listen to the quiet sounds of nature, like grasshoppers, wind in the branches, and falling leaves - which they cannot experience in their noisy, overflown playgrounds.
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Proposed changes to Heathrow noise management benefit only a few
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Swindon’s Head of Planning says Councils should have the power to act over noisy aircraft.
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Road traffic noise linked with the chance of suffering a stroke
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New report from Europe shows people are disturbed by much lower levels of aircraft noise than previously admitted
A new report on noise from the European Environment Agency supports the findings of the ANASE Study and shows that people are disturbed by much lower levels of aircraft noise than has been previously admitted. The study shows how many people are annoyed by aircraft noise, not merely the number exposed to it. For example, at a noise level of 55 dB 27% are highly annoyed by aircraft noise, but 3% by rail noise and 6% by road noise.
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MEMS microphones low-cost means to map noise pollution
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Noise Action Plans soon to go to ministers – at last
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Living under a flight path ‘can increase your risk of heart attack’
Living under a flight path increases the chances of a heart attack, a study from Bern University suggests. It says the constant noise from roaring aircraft engines increases the risk by at least 30% probably by raising stress levels, disrupting sleep and triggering high blood pressure. This is a significant risk for the 240,000 Britons who, according to the EU, endue an average daily noise of 60 decibels from jets – equivalent of a crowded, noisy bar. (Mail)