Online maps reveal noise levels across England

By Peter Griffiths

LONDON (Reuters) - Maps showing noise levels in towns across England were published on Friday in an attempt to reduce the disruption caused by factories, planes, trains and cars, the government said.

Residents in 23 towns and cities will be able to check how noisy their area is by visiting a new government website, www.defra.gov.uk/noisemapping.

The site collapsed on Friday morning due to "unprecedented demand". A message said engineers were working on the problem.

Ministers say the maps represent the most thorough attempt yet to grasp the scale of a problem that some studies have linked to serious illness and educational difficulties.

The maps, drawn up to meet a European Union directive, will be used to help cut noise in the worst-affected areas.

"They will provide a springboard to go forward and tackle unnecessary and unreasonable noise pollution," said Environment Minister Jonathan Shaw.

"We will use them to draw up action plans to reduce noise where practical from major roads and railways, as well as from urban areas."

The maps were created using data taken at industrial sites, roads, railways and airports. They cover 50,000 miles of roads and 3,000 miles of railways.