The IOA has responded to the consultation on strategic road and rail networks in England, which is set to up date the original National Networks National Policy Statement of 2014. The new draft policy includes a section on noise and vibration, acknowledging the wide ranging impacts excessive noise can have on quality of life and health, the enjoyment of quiet places and areas of high landscape quality. In our response we welcome the fact that the bulk of the text within this section of the policy
statement is remaining the same, given practitioners have become familiar with applying the policies set out, and on the whole, feel that the desired objectives are achieved. The IOA believes that maintaining continuity is very helpful. Comments are made on the proposed changes within this section, and the IOA has taken the opportunity to identify where some of the current text could be improved in the light of experience in implementing the current NNNPS.
