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| Crystal Palace Park, Bromley |
Noise
DEFRA’s report is based on traffic noise above 60 decibels – about
the level of an average car going by. It is a broad indicator of the
quieter and noisier boroughs, with those in outer London predictably
scoring higher. Hillingdon is the red herring here as it suffers
disproportionately high noise levels due to traffic generated from
Heathrow – as well as the aircraft themselves.
According to a recent report by the Mayor’s office, noise pollution has been shown to have an adverse effect on levels of stress, children’s learning, sleep and cardiovascular health. Children, people with existing physical and mental illness and the elderly are most susceptible to noise pollution. Feature continues
In general, the highest noise pollution is in boroughs outside
the congestion zone. However, the worst impact of traffic is from road
accidents: Westminster has the highest number of casualties from
traffic accidents (2,415 in 2003), though inner boroughs in general
tend to have lower rates due to traffic speed; Richmond has the lowest
figures (296 in 2003).
See www.noisemapping.org
Percentage of borough where traffic noise is above 60 decibels
| Best | ||
| 1= | Bromley, Sutton | 8% |
| 3= | Croydon, Harrow | 10% |
| 5= | Bexley, Richmond | 11% |
| Worst | ||
| 26= | Hillingdon, Islington, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets | 20% |
| 30 | Kensington & Chelsea | 24% |
| 31 | Hounslow | 25% |
| 32 | Westminster | 34% |
(Source: ‘Noise Mapping England: The London Road Traffic Noise Map’, September 2004, Department of the Environment and Rural Affairs)
Health & Fitness Guide
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