Scotland to map intrusive noise

The Scottish Executive is to produce maps showing environmental noise around major conurbations and transport networks.

A spokesperson for the Executive told GC News that the maps are likely to be in digital format and available through its website, plus public information points such as libraries.

Details of the technology to be used are not yet clear, but "we believe they will be put together in an easily readable digital format", the spokesperson said.

The contract to produce the noise maps has been awarded to the Hamilton and McGregor consortium.

The exercise will cover conurbations with over 250,000 people - Glasgow and Edinburgh - along with airports, railways and trunk roads in Scotland. They are scheduled to be available by July 2007.

The EU Environmental Noise Directive requires noise maps to be produced by June 2007.

A second round of mapping will take place in 2012, in which all areas with over 100,000 people will be mapped.

Deputy environment minister Rhona Brankin said: "Intrusive noise comes from many different sources and by June next year, we will have carried out a comprehensive assessment to identify potential problem areas in Glasgow and Edinburgh. That will provide the basis for a fresh look at how to minimise noise in our lives."

This article was originally published at Kablenet.

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