Agenda item

This Council recognises that excessive noise pollution from major highways raises the risk of negative health outcomes for our residents, most notably cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance. This particularly affects those who live in closest proximity to the busiest major strategic roads, including the A34 and M40.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines “strongly recommends reducing noise levels produced by road traffic below 53 dB, as road traffic noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects”. However, it’s well known that noise levels are far in excess of this in many residential areas, especially where formally defined as ‘Noise Important Areas’, where the highest 1% of noise levels at residential locations can be found. This includes neighbourhoods within Abingdon, Botley and Banbury among others.

Traffic volumes on our major roads have massively increased, with the number of cars on the road doubling in the past 30 years. In light of this, and given the absence of physical sound mitigation measures along many highways-adjacent areas in Oxfordshire, we believe National Highways must take action to improve residents’ quality of life. The existing designation of several ‘Noise Important Areas’ provides a framework for further investigation, and this must be matched by appropriate physical remedies.

Acknowledging the important future role of our strategic network, Council asks the Leader to write to National Highways’ Chief Executive Nick Harris to stress the importance of funding and implementing physical noise mitigation infrastructure as soon as possible, especially pre-existing ‘Noise Important Areas’.

Councillor Nathan Ley moved and Councillor Charlie Hicks seconded the following motion:

This Council recognises that excessive noise pollution from major highways raises the risk of negative health outcomes for our residents, most notably cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance. This particularly affects those who live in closest proximity to the busiest major strategic roads, including the A34 and M40.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines “strongly recommends reducing noise levels produced by road traffic below 53 dB, as road traffic noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects”. However, it’s well known that noise levels are far in excess of this in many residential areas, especially where formally defined as ‘Noise Important Areas’, where the highest 1% of noise levels at residential locations can be found. This includes neighbourhoods within Abingdon, Botley and Banbury among others.

Traffic volumes on our major roads have massively increased, with the number of cars on the road doubling in the past 30 years. In light of this, and given the absence of physical sound mitigation measures along many highways-adjacent areas in Oxfordshire, we believe National Highways must take action to improve residents’ quality of life. The existing designation of several ‘Noise Important Areas’ provides a framework for further investigation, and this must be matched by appropriate physical remedies.

Acknowledging the important future role of our strategic network, Council asks the Leader to write to National Highways’ Chief Executive Nick Harris to stress the importance of funding and implementing physical noise mitigation infrastructure as soon as possible, especially pre-existing ‘Noise Important Areas’.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

This Council recognises that excessive noise pollution from major highways raises the risk of negative health outcomes for our residents, most notably cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance. This particularly affects those who live in closest proximity to the busiest major strategic roads, including the A34 and M40.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines “strongly recommends reducing noise levels produced by road traffic below 53 dB, as road traffic noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects”. However, it’s well known that noise levels are far in excess of this in many residential areas, especially where formally defined as ‘Noise Important Areas’, where the highest 1% of noise levels at residential locations can be found. This includes neighbourhoods within Abingdon, Botley and Banbury among others.

Traffic volumes on our major roads have massively increased, with the number of cars on the road doubling in the past 30 years. In light of this, and given the absence of physical sound mitigation measures along many highways-adjacent areas in Oxfordshire, we believe National Highways must take action to improve residents’ quality of life. The existing designation of several ‘Noise Important Areas’ provides a framework for further investigation, and this must be matched by appropriate physical remedies.

Acknowledging the important future role of our strategic network, Council asks the Leader to write to National Highways’ Chief Executive Nick Harris to stress the importance of funding and implementing physical noise mitigation infrastructure as soon as possible, especially pre-existing ‘Noise Important Areas’.