30 April 2009, 09/93
Lower the volume for Noise Action
Week
Around half the population say that noise affects their
quality of life! So for Noise Action Week why not find out what you
can do about it.
West Lancashire District Council has organised two special
events for residents to come along to during Noise Action Week,
which runs from 18 to 22 May.
The first event is on Tuesday 19 May, between 10am and
3pm, where there will be a special advice desk at the Customer
Service Point, the Concourse Shopping Centre, Skelmersdale. The
second event is on Thursday 21 May when the Council will have an
information stall at Ormskirk Market.
It’s a chance for residents to find out what services are
carried out by the Council to help tackle noisemakers, such as
promoting consideration between neighbours and dealing with
complaints by taking enforcement action.
Common complaints the Council receive include loud music,
dogs barking, late night disturbances from pubs and clubs, alarms
going off, DIY sounds, motorcycle revs or noise. So the idea behind
the events is to educate and inform noisemakers about noise
reduction and promote practical solutions to everyday problems and
to assist sufferers with their issues.
Dave Tilleray, Executive Manager for Community Services,
said: "Our Environmental Protection Team do a great job of
investigating unwanted noise in the district and they work closely
with residents to solve problems, with a good success rate. During
Noise Action Week we will be encouraging everyone to consider the
noise they make and promote practical solutions and services
available to tackle noisemakers. We want to raise awareness about
what we can do to help to improve their quality of
life."
- The team offers the following advice for reducing
noise:
Music - Keep the volume and bass as low as possible, and keep your
speakers away from party walls
- Parties - warn your neighbours if you are going to have a
loud party
- Dogs - train your dog not to bark unnecessarily and do
not leave it alone for long periods
- Burglar alarms - ensure your burglar alarm has a 20
minute cut off switch and appoint a key holder who can be contacted
if the alarm goes off. Remember, the Council can force entry into
your home to deactivate your alarm if it sounds for more than 20
minutes and you will have to pay all costs.
- DIY - carry out all noisy DIY jobs at reasonable
times.
- Lifestyle - avoid shouting or slamming doors
The Council has a duty to reduce or stop unwanted noise
under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Noise and
Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 and can force entry into a house to
turn off a ringing alarm or seize stereo systems if necessary. For
further information, visit our noise pages or contact the Council's
Environmental Protection Team on 01695 577177.
Noise facts and figures
- Vomiting is the world’s most unpopular sound
according to a survey by Salford Acoustics Research
Centre
- In 2007 around 1 million people moved home to escape
noise from neighbours, according to Ipsos Mori 2007
- Complaints from domestic premises account for three
quarters of all noise complaints
- A survey carried out by 118 118 found that Sunderland
football fans are the noisiest
- The word noise derives from the Latin word ‘nausea’
meaning sickness
Related information