Keeping the noise down

Like all great cities, London can get pretty noisy, as well over 7 million Londoners and commuters and visitors go about their lives. For most of the time and for most people, this is part and parcel of what makes our city such a vibrant buzzy place to be. But there are times and places when the sounds of the city are unwelcome and can become just too noisy. This is what we're committed to cutting down.

Tackling noise pollution

Cutting down ambient noise

'Sounder City' sets out a long-term plan for dealing with noise from transport and industry – ambient noise. Published in 2004 by the previous administration, this remains the Mayor's noise policy for London.

The plan involves better management of transport systems, better town planning and better design of buildings. Roads, for example, can be made quieter by using quieter vehicles, keeping streets in better repair, and using low-noise road surfaces, and also by encouraging car users to drive more smoothly and quietly.

• Sounder City PDF
• Sounder City RTF

Too noisy? Here's who to contact:

If you have a complaint about noisy neighbours, road works, construction sites, pubs or bars, you need to contact your local London borough.

• Local Government Association
• London Councils
• City of London
• London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
• London Borough of Barnet
• London Borough of Bexley
• London Borough of Brent
• London Borough of Bromley
• London Borough of Camden
• London Borough of Croydon
• London Borough of Ealing
• London Borough of Enfield
• London Borough of Greenwich
• London Borough of Hackney
• London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
• London Borough of Haringey
• London Borough of Harrow
• London Borough of Havering
• London Borough of Hillingdon
• London Borough of Hounslow
• London Borough of Islington
• Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
• Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
• London Borough of Lambeth
• London Borough of Lewisham
• London Borough of Merton
• London Borough of Newham
• London Borough of Redbridge
• London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
• London Borough of Southwark
• London Borough of Sutton
• London Borough of Tower Hamlets
• London Borough of Waltham Forest
• London Borough of Wandsworth
• City of Westminster

If you're worried about noise in the workplace, contact Health and Safety Executive.

Noisy neighbour?

If you have a noisy neighbour, or if a nearby business disturbs you with its noise, it is best to try to talk to them about it. If this doesn't work, you may want to consider mediation, where an independent third party will listen to your and the noise producer's views, helping you reach an agreement. For further details and to locate local services contact Mediation UK on 0117 9046661. If these two approaches fail, Defra has a guide to taking formal action.

Leaflets addressing the problem of unwanted noise are available from the Defra website.

Noisy traffic?

You can find out the level of noise pollution caused by road traffic in your current or future neighbourhood by taking a look at DEFRA's Noise Mapping.