Government response to House of Lords report on noise

The response of the Government to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report investigating noise and human health is now available. The report was informed by evidence from noise and acoustics specialists including the IOA and CIEH. The response recognises noise as second only to poor air quality as an environmental cause of ill health in Europe, and signposts ongoing work programmes to identify potential noise issues and solutions related to air source heat pumps and onshore wind turbines - which are integral to plans to reduce carbon emissions. It also notes ongoing studies on the impacts of aviation noise, and states the intention to make Defra's system for modelling environmental (transport) noise available to all public bodies. The government does not agree with the report recommendation that an expert advisory group on noise should be established. It references the wide spectrum of expertise noise issues cover, and existing networks of collaborations, stating they will consider whether noise should be included in the remit of existing bodies.