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Reference is made elsewhere in the report to the number of requests for the
destruction of wasps' nests and complaints of infestation by rats and mice.
(See Statistical Tables 43 and 44)
NOISE
The Noise Abatement Act, 1960, makes provision in respect of the control
of noise and vibration and enables a local authority to deal with it as a statutory
nuisance in accordance with the procedure in the Public Health Act, 1936. It
makes specific provision to deal with loudspeakers in the street, and also enables
three or more persons aggrieved by a noise nuisance to make a complaint to a
Justice of the Peace. Powers for local authorities to deal with the playing of noisy
musical instruments, amplifiers, etc., and the keeping of noisy animals, and noisy
hawking, are given by Good Rule and Government Bye-laws made under the Local
Government Act, 1933.
There is an increasing general interest in noise. The controversy over the
selection of airport sites has undoubtedly aroused interest in this subject and the
Minister of Housing and Local Government has called on local authorities to make
a determined attack on the problem. In 1967 local authorities were asked to arrange
for appropriate officers to receive technical instruction in the measurement and
reduction of noise. In November, 1968, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government
asked for reports on the action taken by councils on technical instruction for
their staff and on educating the public.
Courses on noise have been arranged at several universities and colleges
throughout the country and nine of the Council's public health inspectors attended
a course during 1968. In addition, several other inspectors had already received
training in noise measurement and it is anticipated that soon all inspectors will have
received adequate instruction.
Circular 59/68, issued by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government,
dealt with noise from concrete breakers and was accompanied by an advisory
booklet "Noise control on building sites". The circular and booklet give examples
of relatively simple methods of reducing noise.
In factories, where it may affect the workers, the reduction of noise is enforced
by H.M. Factory Inspectorate but where the noise causes nuisance outside the
factory, enforcement is the responsibility of the local authority. The Secretary
of State for Employment and Productivity has agreed that the Factory Inspectorate
will make their knowledge and experience available to local authorities if requested
to do so. but it was not necessary to take advantage of this offer.
The major noise problems arise from the close proximity of dwellinghouses to
industrial premises, especially where operations continue through the night. The
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