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NOISE
NOISE SURVEY IN CONJUNCTION WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN
The noise survey described in the last annual report has continued this year. It is being
undertaken by Secondary Schools and residents'organisations.
The project has run into difficulties mainly because of the staffing problems in Islington Schools.
The exercise would be pointless unless a worthwhile final result was obtained. Indeed, schools would
not participate in the project unless worthwhile results for their labours could be seen. In order to
obtain the results which could be used, a great amount of detailed work is required and this
necessitates a great deal of time devoted to the survey by the children. This time has to be found
during school hours. The survey work is undertaken in the Borough away from the school premises
and to safeguard the interests of the children they must be supervised in this exercise by a member of
the school staff. Staffing of the project by the schools has in many cases proved an insurmountable
problem.
Islington schools generally have been very short staffed and those staff who are available are
needed to teach and not to supervise community projects. Each year sees a large turn-over of
teaching staff and whilst a teacher initially taking on the noise survey would have an interest in the
survey he/she might be replaced by someone who does not have similar interests.
However, the survey continues.
TRAFFIC NOISE
The biggest noise problem in Islington is traffic noise.
A Department of the Environment Circular (10/73) encouraged liaison between Environmental
Health Departments and Planning Departments. As a response to this my department arranged with
the Planning Department for measurement and analysis of traffic noise in projects associated with
environmental schemes and with the Borough Transportation Study.
Traffic noise is assessed by measuring it over an 18 hour period (6 a.m. - 12 midnight) and this is
analysed to show the level of noise which is present for 10% of the measured period of time.
Equipment purchased for this purpose included a Sound Level Meter, a Tape recorder, a Sound
Level Recorder and a Statistical Distribution Analyser.
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