Noise

Noise pollution has affected most of us at one time or another. Each year the London Borough of Bexley receives over 3,000 complaints relating to noise.

Domestic, industrial, commercial and construction site sources are all significant. Although not often complained about, transportation noise can also be a serious problem. The borough is affected to some degree by the impacts of the A2 and A20 busy commuter routes and is crossed by three railway lines.

The Council deals with noise under four main pieces of legislation as follows:

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 - Part 3 - Statutory Nuisances

This Act allows the local authority to deal with noise from premises which is either prejudicial to health or a nuisance. The incidents covered are of a significant nature far exceeding simple annoyance. The type of noise dealt with under the Act includes:

• Loud music
• Barking dogs and animal noise
• Intruder alarms on premises and road vehicles
• Industrial noise

The Noise and Statutory Nuisances Act 1993

• Noise on the public highway from machinery and equipment
• Noise from stationary vehicles (e.g. alarms, car stereos) on the public highway

The Control of Pollution Act 1974

Gives the local authority power to control noise from construction and demolition sites.

The Noise Act 1996

Clarifies the local authority's powers to seize and retain equipment involved in causing a noise offence.

The statutory nuisance provisions do not usually give any powers to the Council to deal with the following noise problems:

• Noise from moving vehicles
• Everyday domestic noise
• Shouting and screaming
• Sound insulation
• Short-lived one-off events

Please use the links below or to the left to find out more about different types of noise pollution. Contact details for the Council are provided in the right hand menu.