The problem gets worse as the weather warms up and windows are left open leaving the sounds of summer to fill streets, homes and back gardens.
New research by the environmental protection charity NSCA published on Noise Action Day, shows that complaints about noise continue to increase and local authority officers across the UK are calling for better ways to manage noise effectively.
Lack of communication between neighbours is blamed for the high level of complaints, many of which are triggered by other issues with neighbours.
Tolerance
The survey calls for better education on noise expectation and tolerance which are crucial in tackling complaints.
The pressure group said local authority noise management services need a higher profile to enable efficient resolution of complaints and at least a third of local authorities support the implementation of statutory registration of intruder alarms.
Richard Mills, NSCA general secretary, said: "Our survey shows that noise complaints are still on the increase.
"The local authority officers responsible for noise, think that poor relations between neighbours and unrealistic expectations about the noise environment are often at the root of the problem.
"Noise Action Day aims to mitigate the effects by promoting practical solutions to everyday noise problems.
"Many people complain to the police who have no power over noise. A higher profile for local authority noise management services is now essential to help effective dispute resolution." Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
I agree that there should be a special department set up to deal with this rising problem, and preferably a department with legislative powers. It's no good calling the police regarding long-term noise nuisance, as there's little they can, or will, do. Case in point my pig ignorant neighbour who always slams his front door so hard, it makes pictures on our walls rattle. We've tried asking him politely to make an attempt to be quieter, but he just isn't bothered. In cases like this, the only option is the intervention of a third party, who are empowered to force the culprit to behave reasonably.
Planes, helicopters, lawn-mowers, hedge clippers, power tools, alarms, and traffic noise of course. The list goes on and on. And they all contribute to making ever-more peoples' lives a misery and robbing us of the peace and tranquility that is so beneficial to us all (certainly those above a certain age). Noise is stressful and damaging, and it's just getting worse. And in about three or four months from now the bang-bang brigade will be off again making our lives even more of a misery for two or more months.