Noise Action Week

Noise Action Week 21st - 25th May 2012

Noise Action Week, is an annual initiative co-ordinated by Environmental Protection UK. The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness of the problems associated with neighbour noise and the practical solutions available to tackle it. It provides an opportunity for local authorities such as Westminster City Council, housing providers, mediation services and all those agencies involved in neighbour noise management to raise awareness of services available and promote practical solutions.

Westminster's Noise Team have for many years been involved in the spirit of Noise Action Week and their past initiatives have included raising noise awareness amongst school children, the environmentally friendly disposal of seized amplification equipment, the control of building sites, promoting voluntary mediation services to resolve noise disputes and promoting audible intruder alarm awareness.

This year the noise team emphasis is on the launch of the Noise Strategy. After considerable consultation within the council and with interested parties externally, the Strategy will guide the progress towards improving the noise climate in Westminster. This ground breaking initiative has attracted the attention of other forward thinking Local Authorities who share the aspirations for a happier, healthier (and quieter!) environment for those who live or work in Westminster as well as for our visitors.

The Noise Strategy contains an analysis of the sources and effects of noise as well as listing a series of actions to be taken to secure lasting improvements in WCC. Westminster Council was awarded first prize in the Noise Abatement Society John Connell Awards in November 2011 for the Noise Strategy.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Council has powers to deal with noise nuisances from audible intruder alarms, and in the case of unoccupied premises, this can include forced entry of the premises to disable the alarm. It is far better for us to contact a nominated keyholder who can open the premises and disable and/or reset the alarm. The police no longer maintain a register of keyholders, so the Noise Team will continue to maintain a voluntary register of keyholders. By registering your keyholder details, you could avoid substantial costs should your alarm malfunction.

You can submit your details either online or via post by clicking here. If you need further information, please contact the Noise Team on 020 7641 7010 during normal office hours.