Sound advice for local residents
(Date of issue: Wednesday, 18 May 2011)
As part of Noise Action Week (Monday, 23 – Friday, 27 May 2010),
Carlisle City Council is passing on some ‘sound advice’ to local
residents.
Most of us have been woken or annoyed by too much noise and
research shows that noise impacts on the well-being of one in 100
people. However, many noise problems can be sorted out by simple
solutions – such as turning it down, being more considerate and
just being a bit quieter.
Everyone can expect some noise from the people who live around
them. Some advice to help reduce noise:
- Amplified music or sound is the most commonly complained about
noise – so keep the volume down and place speakers away from
partition walls, floors and ceilings
- Do noisy DIY jobs when it will least disturb your neighbours.
If you warn them in advance, they are less likely to complain
- If you have a house alarm, you should register a key holder
with your local environmental health department or police – this
will save your neighbours trouble and you expense if your alarm
goes off while you’re away on holiday
- Outdoor BBQs and late night garden parties - have fun in the
sun, but don’t cause such a din that you drive your neighbours
in!
Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Local
Environment, said:
"Noise can cause disruption and distress to everyone - at home,
at leisure, at work and at study. There is no doubt that our
capacity to make noise is increasing. National research has shown
that noise control officers across the UK think that incompatible
lifestyles and high expectations of quiet are the reasons for many
complaints. Noise affects all residents quality of life."
Noise Action Week is an annual initiative co-ordinated by NSCA
that aims to raise awareness of the problems caused by neighbour
noise and the solutions available to tackle it. To highlight
neighbour noise problems in NAW 2006, NSCA commissioned a MORI
survey. The survey found that around half a million people have
moved home in the last year because of noise, and that noise
affects quality of life for one in ten, and that one in ten are
kept awake by noise. Find out more at http://www.noiseactionweek.org.uk
For more information on reducing noise at home visit http://www.quieterhomes.org