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London Council Scientific Branch at various points outside the stadium showed that the noise
from stock cars was only marginally above the background level and at all points was well within
the prescribed limits for sound and distance. As a matter of interest this sound limit was also the
sound limit later agreed by the Noise Advisory Council's Working Party on Traffic Noise as
suitable for planning purposes. Inside the stadium the levels were up to 9 decibels higher than
speech from the public address system. It was considered however that at these levels no danger of
permanent loss of hearing was likely to occur. The situation would continue to be kept under
observation.
During the year a noise nuisance under close investigation in 1969 continued to be the
subject of complaint. It was one of those difficult cases mentioned in the previous Annual Report
where, after full investigation by the Department, it was not possible to establish that it constituted
a nuisance. The firm of consultants who made the original measurements in 1969 was
asked to report on the efficiency of various schemes of improvement proposed and subsequently
some costly works were carried out. The problem is typical of the difficulties associated with
fairly extensive refrigeration plant which is nowadays a feature of supermarkets and similar
premises.
Pollution of the atmosphere by noise continues to cause widespread concern and this is not
restricted to the industrial parts of the Borough. Whilst background noise and some intrustive
noise is accepted during the day, residents are more aware of and ready to complain about
occasions when noise intrudes above the background level during the night. This may be due to
night working at factories or the operation of plant e.g. refrigeration plant at commercial premises
near to residential premises. Where possible steps are taken to reduce the noise levels to as near as
possible to the background level and to guard against a 'creeping' background level. The expense of
employing consultants and carrying out alterations sometimes to newly installed plant would in
many cases have been more wisely spent in better original planning and equipment.
The means of reducing the annoyance and inconvenience of noisy roadworks involving the
use of compressors and concrete breakers continues to get a lot of attention from the industry in
order to meet contract requirements and silenced compressors and muffled road breakers are now
much more in evidence. Where such precautions can be incorporated into the design of the equipment
the extent of human failure is reduced.
LAUNDERETTES
In view of the problems that arise from noise, vibration and fumes from the above premises
attention continues to be given not only to existing premises but also those brought to our
attention by the Borough Engineer & Surveyor's Department as a result of plans submitted to that
Department with whom we continue to work in close liaison.
Apart from the physical problems of adapting existing or new buildings, there remains the
need to exercise the utmost care in the design and layout of equipment and service to ensure that
nuisances do not arise. If the fullest consideration to these aspects is given at an early stage and
their importance constantly borne in mind by individuals, contractors and companies concerned,
sometimes difficult and expensive modifications can be prevented.
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