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5. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES
Both REHIS and the Scottish Executive recognise the important role to be played by educating the public on issues relating to noise and believe this to be a vital component of any local authority's noise strategy. Information on promoting public awareness on noise can be obtained from Defra's web site www.Defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/neighbour.htm Various information leaflets have been produced by the Scottish executive and by Defra, e.g. Sound Advice on Noise - Don't Suffer in Silence and Constant Barking can be a Nuisance. These can be downloaded without charge ( www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/index.htm ).
A major initiative that is considered to be worthy of support by local authorities in Scotland, is Noise Action Day promoted by the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection (Scotland) ( NSCA), who also publish a range of information leaflets relating to noise ( www.nsca.org.uk ). Noise Action Day is an annual event organised by the NSCA (Scotland) and information can be found at the NSCA web site at ( www.nsca.org.uk/pages/divisions /). For many local authorities throughout Scotland Noise Action day provides the sole opportunity for awareness raising and education work on noise. The stated aims of Noise Action Day are:
- to promote practical solutions to everyday neighbour noise problems
- to promote communication and consideration between neighbours
- to encourage Local Authorities and mediation services to inform the public of the services that are available
- to educate and inform both noise makers and noise sufferers about noise reduction
- to encourage everyone to take a quiet moment to consider the noises they make and the noise that affects them and to consider what can be done to reduce the impact of noise.
In 2003, over 200 local authorities throughout the UK took part in promoting Noise Action Day and examples of local initiatives include:
- the encouragement of responsible dog ownership
- the registration of intruder alarms
- the promotion of responsible and considerate behaviour by tenants
- the education of schoolchildren at an early age about the social and health impacts of noise.
Example of Good Practice - Public Awareness Raising Shouting about Noise in Renfrewshire
The Council took part in Noise Action Day by offering people help to tackle problems caused by noise. With a focus on 'tackling tenants' the Mediation Team in Renfrewshire provided advice at housing offices and related organisations throughout its area. Specifically the council asked residents to: - consider the noises that disturb themselves
- consider the noise they make and the effect it has on others
- use practical solutions to everyday problems of noise
Amplified music or sound is the most commonly complained of noise so residents were encouraged to keep the volume down and to place speakers away from partition walls, floors and ceilings. People holding parties were advised to warn their neighbours in advance, to consider inviting them, to keep windows and doors shut and to respond co-operatively to complaints by turning the music down. |
Example of Good Practice - Raising Noise Awareness Falkirk
The council has produced a dedicated web page for Noise Action Day illustrating a number of local issues in an attempt to raise local awareness. In addition a number of topic specific public information leaflets have been produced by the council, for example, an informative leaflet giving advice to dog owners on the avoidance of nuisance from constant barking - see below. 
Perth & Kinross Council
A Senior Officer has a regular spot on community radio dealing with the latest hot issue in environmental health. This often includes noise issues such as domestic noise, barking dogs, wind farms etc. This is seen as a valuable way of raising public awareness of the issues involved, opening up lines of communication with the public and most importantly explaining what powers and services are available. |
Example of Good Practice - Noise Awareness Persistent disturbances are recorded with digital audio ( DAT) equipment and the recordings are subsequently analysed in an environment where they can also be played back to all parties, e.g. the noisemaker and the complainant. In this way, those creating the noise can be confronted with an objective demonstration of the impact their behaviour has on others. Additionally, a room is also set aside at the local Magistrates court to enable Magistrates to assess offending noises when cases go to trial. Source: Doncaster MBC |
Example of Good Practice - Noise Awareness Metropolitan Police's Junior Citizen Initiative
The Environmental Health Directorate has contributed to this annual educational event since 1996. In 2002 the programme, which was linked to schools, involved promoting a noise display presentation entitled "Be responsible with noise". Consisting of a twofold message under the headings "Hear today, deaf tomorrow" and "Noise annoys", the initiative targeted nearly 1000 children from over 20 schools. This effort earned the council an award in the Noise Abatement Society's annual John Connell Award. Source: Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea |
Local authorities are encouraged to examine opportunities to raise awareness of noise issues in the community. Examples of successful Local Authority initiatives, in addition to the aforementioned examples, include:
- attending tenant-management meetings and making presentations
- promoting a considerate contractor schemes for construction sites
- promoting the service on the Council's web site where extensive information on noise is published and regularly updated, e.g. code practice for construction sites with applications for permission to work outside 'standard' hours
- working with youth groups, e.g. poster competitions
- leaflets, lamp post posters promoting noise service
References
- 'Bothered by Noise - There's no Need to Suffer' - Information Leaflet published by Defra
- 'Constant Barking can be a Nuisance' - Information Leaflet published by Defra
- 'Best Practice - An article describing the John Connell Award', Nick Warburton, Environmental Health Journal, November 2002
Further Reading
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