Is noise annoying you? As we approach the warmer weather our thoughts often wander to the days when we can throw open our windows and sit relaxing in our gardens. However, often the reality is spoilt by our neighbours’ who seem to think they can make as much noise as they like in their own garden. Watching your own children splashing in their paddling pool and squealing with delight to the strains of the latest ‘chart-topper’ may be a joy to you; to your neighbour on a rare day off it is probably the time when they have to retire indoors to escape the noise. A few friends over for a barbeque may just be a chat over a meal in your garden; to the young new parents of twins next door it can become a sleepless night and an overtired next-day if the noise continues into the night. The most frequent noise complaints made to local authorities involve: amplified music, barking dogs and intruder alarms but in the summer time the complaints also include matters such as those described.
Environmental Protection UK (formerly NSCA) has been co-ordinating this national noise campaign for the last 10 years. It has become an established annual event enabling noise control officers, housing organisations, mediation services, district councils and others to play a part in improving quality of life for everyone. Environmental Protection UK has been carrying out research into the causes of complaints about neighbourhood noise and this indicates that the majority of complaints made to local authorities are symptomatic of higher expectations of quiet, and the incompatible lifestyles of neighbours. Certainly everyone is exposed to noise at some time, whether at home, work or leisure and in extreme cases this can cause disruption or even distress. Neighbourhoods Intervention Manager, John Allan, explained that the Council’s environmental health department received 548 noise complaints between April 2007 and April 2008 and that this initiative provided an ideal opportunity to engage with local people to promote peaceful co-existence. “We see formal enforcement as a course of last resort and National Noise Action day provides an ideal opportunity to raise the profile of the work carried out by the Council whilst providing advice to the general public”.
This year Huntingdonshire District Council’s Environmental Protection Team will be out with the ‘Noise Action Week Roadshow’ in:
- Huntingdon - Chequers Court on Wednesday 21st May,
- St Neots - Market Square on Thursday 22nd May and
- Huntingdon, Oak Drive on Friday 23rd May (noon - 16:30),
where the Team will be on hand with advice and leaflets to promote practical solutions to neighbour noise, as well as raising awareness of the services that are available to anyone who feels they have a noise problem. Regulations are also now in force to help local authorities tackle night time noise from licensed premises in England and Wales, so this year's Noise Action Week provides plenty of opportunities for raising awareness of noise problems. Stress balls will also be given to anyone who goes to see them … while stocks last!
Competition! Enter our poster competition to be in with a chance to win a set of wireless headphones. The Environmental Protection Team are looking at ways of advertising their 2009 campaign which will be used to promote considerate behaviour and will focus on issues such as: noisy parties, DIY, shift-working and music systems.
Guidance on your poster entry:
- Make sure it’s about ‘noise’ and try to make up a good slogan.
- Size A4 and in any format but no collage please.
Remember we might be copying it so fine detailing could be lost.
- Have a look at noise action week website by using the link on the right to find ideas for your design.
Remember to provide your details!
The competition is open to anyone who lives in Huntingdonshire & will be under 18 years of age on the closing date; May 30th 2008. Submit your poster by bringing it to a Roadshow, posting it to ‘Noise Action Week Poster Competition, Environmental & Community Health Services, Huntingdonshire District Council, Pathfinder House, St Mary’s Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN’ or you can email it to noise action week team by using the link on the right. Please remember to include: your name, age, telephone number and address. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the competition. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must be enclosed if you want your poster returned. Results & posters will be posted on our website by the end of June.
Noise Action Week aims to raise awareness of the problems caused by neighbour noise and the solutions available to tackle it. It provides an opportunity for local authorities, housing providers, mediation services and all those involved in neighbour noise management to raise awareness of services available and promote practical solutions. Noise Action Week aims to:
- Promote practical solutions to everyday noise problems
- Promote communication and consideration between neighbours
- Encourage local authorities and mediation services to inform the public of services available
- Educate and inform noise makers and noise sufferers about noise reduction
- Encourage everyone to take a quiet moment to consider the noises they make and the noise that affects them - and what can be done to reduce the impact
National Noise Action Week is an annual initiative coordinated by Environmental Protection UK (formerly NSCA) - the environmental protection charity supported by pollution control professionals who have been working for a cleaner, quieter, healthier world since 1898.