Greater London Authority Act 1999

Greater London Authority Act 1999

1999 CHAPTER 29

Commentary on Sections

Part Ix: Environmental Functions

Section 370: The ambient noise strategy

562. The Government will be undertaking projects in 1999-2001 to assess the ambient noise climate in England and Wales and to gauge public attitudes to environmental noise. The results will be compared to baselines developed in 1990 and 1991. Over the same period, Government-funded research will investigate links between environmental noise and health.

563. Section 370 of the Act provides that the Mayor will be required to produce a London ambient noise strategy. The strategy will contain information about ambient noise levels in Greater London and an assessment of the impact of the Mayor's other strategies on them. There will be a summary of the action the Mayor has taken or proposes to take for the purpose of promoting measures to reduce ambient noise levels in Greater London, and the impact of such levels of those living and working in London.

564. “Ambient noise” is defined as noise related to transport, and noise of other descriptions which the Mayor considers it appropriate to include within the strategy. The strategy will not, generally, include noise which may be controlled by a local authority, but the Mayor will be able to include noise from fixed industrial sources within the strategy where considered appropriate.

565. The London ambient noise strategy is a strategy for the purposes of sections 41 to 44 of the Act.