The major sources of noise pollution in London are roads, rail and aviation.
Environmental noise has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the second largest environmental health risk in Western Europe, behind air quality. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise has been shown to have harmful effects on mental and physical health, including impaired cognitive development in children, tinnitus, sleep disturbance, and even heart disease.[2]
The Mayor of London is required to set out policies to address ambient noise, 'the main, long-term, predictable sources of noise across London', which includes noise related to transport.[3]
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Environment Committee will discuss the impact of noise pollution on Londoners and what the Mayor can do to help.
Panel one guests on road and Tube noise are:
- Lucy Hayward-Speight, Strategy and Policy Manager, City Planning, TfL
- Sam Longman, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Environment, TfL
- Duncan Weir, Head of Track, TfL
- Professor Charlotte Clark, Professor of Epidemiology, St George's University of London
- Neil Smith, Residents Group Representative - Tube noise from Victoria Line between Highbury & Islington and Kings Cross
Panel two guests on aviation noise are:
- Shamal Ratnayaka, Aviation Strategy Lead, TfL
- Professor Charlotte Clark, Professor of Epidemiology, St George's University of London
- Paul Beckford, Coordinator, Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN)
- Bridget Bell, Representative, Plane Hell Action
The meeting will take place on Thursday, 20 October 2022 from 10.00am in The Chamber, at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube
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Notes to editors
- Read the agenda papers
- World Health Organisation, Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region, 2018
- Mayor of London, London Environment Strategy, May 2018
- This meeting is the first meeting in a two-part investigation into noise and light pollution in London
- Zack Polanski AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the London Assembly Environment Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.