All in a day's work

Garry Seal Noise control manager NOISE is part of living in London - but how much do residents have to put up with? "Pleasant music for one person can mean noise to another," says Garry Seal, who manages six noise-control officers at Waltham Forest council. "Each case is taken on its merits - but music so loud that it prevents sleep or relaxation means we can take action to curb it."

Loud music was the most frequent complaint dealt with by Seal's team during the last financial year - 843 out of a total of 1,822. Other forms of "domestic noise" such as late night and early morning DIY and barking dogs accounted for 351 investigations. Noise from industrial and commercial sources was the third main type - totalling 172 complaints.

So what steps does the council take to ensure a quiet, or quieter, life for residents? "We talk to the complainant to establish that there is a real problem and that it's something we can tackle," says Seal.

"Some noise is inevitable - noise from busy roads is an example of something we can't stop."

"We recommend that people raise the problem with the source, but if this fails, we will visit the scene, make an independent assessment and, if necessary, talk to the person causing it. Refusal to curb persistent noise can lead to court."

People ignoring an abatement notice served under the Environmental Protection Act risk fines of up to pounds 5,000 for noise from residential buildings and up to pounds 20,000 if it comes from commercial premises. But the aim is to settle matters through discussion." It takes as much tact to tell a very angry complainant that they don't have a case as to explain to a householder that they are not free to make as much noise as they like," says Seal.

"Emotions can run high and it's important that people feel we are listening to their side of the story."

A clear understanding of noise laws and the ability to explain them is required, along with technical skill to operate noise- measuring equipment and the knowledge to offer advice on soundproofing and other means of noise reduction.

"Lateral thinking is sometimes required," says Seal. "A problem of a cockerel waking neighbours in the early hours of the summer by crowing at dawn was solved by keeping it in a darkened room - and only opening the curtains at a reasonable hour of the morning."

What it takes "A calm approach which can defuse emotional situations with practical solutions," says Seal.

"Coping with a shift pattern including a 2am finish on Fridays and Saturdays is also required."

www.lbwf.gov.uk/environment/n oise.stm for information on noise control

Copyright 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.