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play his radio as loud as he likes or only so loud that it does not intrude into his neighbour's castle ?
If it is considered that the radio should be turned down so that it does not intrude and that this entails
no sacrifice, what attitude should be taken towards the noise created by a motor lawn mower,
electric drill or powered hedge trimmer ?
Aircraft
It is hoped that the Government's scheme for the noise certification of aircraft will eventually
reduce the aircraft noise level. Measurements were made of the noise created by the Concorde
aircraft while landing and taking off during July. This original prototype was very much noisier than
any plane which either landed before, or took off immediately after it, and it is to be hoped that the
modifications to the plane will permit it to qualify under the noise certification scheme. During 1972
the question of nuisance from aircraft using Northolt aerodrome was raised with the Ministry of
Defence. Some improvement in the sound protection during the ground testing of engines was
provided. A suggestion that the Ministry should consider the provision of a sound insulation grant
scheme for the houses in the vicinity of Northolt did not receive a favourable response, the principal
reason being the limited number of daily flights in and out of Northolt, but an investigation to ascertain
the extent and level of the aircraft noise is being carried out.
Motorways and Main Roads
Noise level measurements were made in the vicinity of the M4 motorway. The measured levels
indicated that noise nuisance if assessed by the provisional standard recommended in the Wilson
report which was based on the noise measured inside buildings would be a nuisance. This is the
level which the Council had been recommended to adopt as a standard in considering Ringway 3
and other major developments. In July the Department of the Environment published "New Roads
in Town" a report of the Urban Motorways Committee which made reference to noise and compensatory
measures and sound insulation and in October a white paper was published "Development
and Compensation—Putting People First". The method for assessing compensation is to be based
on the noise level between 06.00 hours and midnight assessed as an average of the hourly level
exceeded for 10% of the time known as the L.10 figure. The L.50 figure is the average noise level
and the L.90 figure is the noise level exceeded for 90% of the time or the low noise figure. The
measurements are made externally in front of the face of a building and allowing for the sound protection
provided by the structure of a building having windows open for what would be reasonable
ventilation will permit a noise level standard of approximately 5 to 10 dB/A higher than that recommended
by the Wilson report. While both this fact and the fact that it may be necessary to use sophisticated
equipment in order to record and assess the average hourly level for 18 hours is regretted,
this positive step to assess and pay compensation to persons affected by new road noise is welcomed.
It may well be that ultimately the acceptable noise standard may be lowered or the standard will be
applied to roads built prior to 1969 or both and a positive step to an improved environment should
not be over criticised because it failed to offer an immediate Utopia.
THE HEATHROW AIRPORT—LONDON NOISE INSULATION GRANTS SCHEME
During 1972 the British Airports Authority renamed the former London (Heathrow) Airport
Noise Insulation Grants Scheme and gave it the title shown above. The scheme enables people
living around London Airport in a defined area to receive financial aid to sound proof their houses.
There are three main changes which came into operation on 14th September 1972:
(a) the grant was increased to 75% of the cost of sound proofing works with a maximum of
£206 (outer area)
(b) a higher rate of grant (100% of £360) is now available to those closest to Heathrow who
are worst affected by aircraft noise (inner area)
(c) those people residing in the outer area eligible for a grant and to whom the higher rates
of constant attendance allowance is paid by the Department of Health and Social
Security, will under the revised scheme, be eligible for a 100% grant up to a maximum of
£275.
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