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How are environmental noise action plans being implemented in Wales?

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First round action plans

Action plans contain information and guidance to the process of managing environmental noise.

Environmental Noise Directive

Noise monitoring and mapping
Noise maps are used to find where noise levels are high and to address the issue.
After the noise maps were published, the Environmental Noise Directive requires that we produce and implement environmental noise action plans. These plans aim to reduce noise levels where necessary and preserve environmental noise quality where it is good.

In Wales, we have established a noise action plan implementation framework comprising a steering group and working groups covering major transport and Welsh agglomerations (large urban areas). These groups include representatives from:

  • local authorities;
  • the Environment Agency;
  • the rail and road transport sectors;
  • Environmental Protection UK; and
  • Public Health Wales.

The groups are helped by expert consultants that we contract.

Phase 1 of action planning in Wales covers the development, consultation and adoption of the action plans themselves. This has taken place, and the final action plans are available to download from the right of this page.

Phase 2 is putting the plans into action. This is ongoing.