Offaly Local Authorities - Offaly County Council

7. MITIGATION AND PROTECTION MEASURES ......................................................... 257.1 General Principle of Action Plan................................................................................................................. 257.2 Processing Areas Above Onset of Assessment Criteria .............................................................................. 257.3 Preservation of Areas within Protection Threshold ................................................................................... 257.4 Management of Areas between the Thresholds ........................................................................................ 267.5 Overview of Possible Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................ 267.6 Protection Measures .................................................................................................................................. 297.7 Proposed Long Term Approach to Noise Mitigation .................................................................................. 297.8 Assessment of Options – Cost Benefit Analysis ......................................................................................... 307.9 Budgetary Provisions .................................................................................................................................. 308. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ........................................................................................ 318.1 Public Consultation .................................................................................................................................... 318.2 Responses to the Public Consultation ........................................................................................................ 318.3 Management of Public Responses ............................................................................................................. 318.4 Consultation with Other Stakeholders ....................................................................................................... 319. IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN .................................................................................. 329.1 Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................................................................................... 329.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................... 329.3 Programme of Works ................................................................................................................................. 329.4 Evaluation, Review and Corrective Action P rogramme ............................................................................ 3310. SUMMARY OF NOISE ACTION PLAN ...................................................................... 3410.1 Summary of Actions ................................................................................................................................... 34APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................................................... iAppendix A: Glossary of Acoustic and Technical Terms ............................................................................................. iAppendix B: Bibliography and References ................................................................................................................. iiAppendix C: Strategic Noise Map ............................................................................................................................. viAppendix D: Overview of Recommended Approach to Determine Actions to be Undertaken.............................. viiiAppendix E: Completed Decision Support Matrix .................................................................................................... ixAppendix F: Noise Level Maps ................................................................................................................................ xxiAppendix G: Public Consultation .......................................................................................................................... xxxvAppendix H: Respondants Information Form ..................................................................................................... xxxvii

1. INTRODUCTION1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE DIRECTIVE (END)Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Communities is concerned with the assessment andmanagement of environmental noise, and is commonly referred to as the Environmental NoiseDirective (END).A primary objective of the Directive is to implement a common arrangement by which memberstates shall identify sources of environmental noise pollution, inform the public about relevant noisedata, and take the necessary steps to avoid, prevent or reduce noise exposure.“Environmental noise” is defined in the Directive as unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created byhuman activities including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic,and from sites of industrial activity such as those requiring integrated pollution prevention andcontrol.All member states are required to prepare Strategic Noise Maps indicating populations exposed toenvironmental noise emanating from transport (road, rail and air traffic) and industrial activities.These maps will be the basis for illustrating to the public such information and as a tool to prepareNoise Action Plans by the responsible authorities.1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE REGULATIONS, 2006Statutory Instrument No. 140 of 2006, also known as the Environmental Noise Regulations, and isthe instrument by which the END is transposed into Irish Law.These regulations provide for the implementation in Ireland of a common European approachintended to avoid, prevent and reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, includingannoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise.These Regulations do not apply to noise arising from domestic activities, created by neighbours, inworkplaces, inside modes of transport or military activities.1

1.3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DESIGNATED BODIES1.3.1 NATIONAL AUTHORITYThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the national authority responsible for overseeing theimplementation of the Regulations. The EPA is required by the regulations to provide advice andguidance to the relevant noise mapping bodies and action planning authorities.The EPA is responsible for reporting to the European Commission, information relating to strategicnoise mapping and action planning in accordance with Article 10(2) of the Directive.1.3.2 NOISE MAPPING BODIESIn the Regulations responsibility is assigned to the following authorities. for the preparation of thestrategic noise maps Refer to Table 1.1 :Table 1.1 Noise Mapping BodiesCATEGORYMajor RailwaysMajor AirportNational RoadsNon-National RoadsAgglomeration >100,000Agglomeration >250,000NOISE MAPPING BODIESIarnród Éireann and Railway Procurement AgencyDublin Airport AuthorityNational Roads AuthorityLocal AuthorityCork City & Local AuthoritiesDublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal & South Dublin LocalAuthoritiess1.3.3 ACTION PLANNING AUTHORITIESResponsibility is assigned to the Local Authorities for preparing and drafting Noise Action Plansbased on the Strategic Noise Maps.Offaly Local Authorities are the designated Action Planning Authority for the purpose of this plan forthe major routes set out in the Table 1.2.2

Table 1.2 Noise Action Planning AreasMAJOR ROADM6M7N52N52AREA OF CONCERNTransverse Section of Offaly CountyTransverse Section of Offaly CountyFrom county boundary at Ballybrought to KilcormacFrom Kennedy’s Crossroads to Riverstown via junction with N621.4 KEY PHASESA timetable for each phase of noise management for the National Authority, Noise Mapping Bodies,and Action Planning Authorities is set out in the Environmental Noise Regulations, and is illustratedin Table 1.3.RASE OF NOISE ACTION PLANNINGTable 1.3 Key Phases of Noise Action PlanTIME FRAME PHASE RESPONSIBILITY30/06/200718/07/2008Strategic Mapping of Noise Sources:Agglomerations > 250,000Airports >50,000 Flights/yearMajor Roads >6,000,00 vehicles journeys/yearMajor Railway >60,000 train journeys/yearBased on usage during the calendar year 2006Adoption of Noise Action Plans based on the criteriaabove and after public consultationNoise Mapping BodiesAction Planning Authorities30/06/2010 Submission of details to Commission EPA30/06/2012Strategic Mapping ofAgglomerations >100,000Major Roads >3,000,000 vehicles journeys/yearMajor Railway >30,000 train journeys/yearBased on Figures for Calendar year 2011Noise Mapping Bodies31/12/2012 Submission of details of above criteria to Commission EPA18/07/2013Adoption of Noise Action Plans following publicconsultationAction Planning Authority3

1.5 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTDirective 2001/42/EC on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on theEnvironment; commonly referred to as the SEA Directive, was transposed into Irish law by thefollowing regulations:• European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes)Regulations, 2004 (SI 435 of 2004)• Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2004 (SI 436of 2004)These regulations require SEA in the case of:• Regional Planning Guidelines• City and County Development Plans• Town Development Plans with populations greater than 10,000• Local Area Plans for areas with population greater than 10,000• Planning for Strategic Development Zones.Environmental significance screening is undertaken to assess if a plan or programme is likely toresult in environmental impacts, and warrants an SEA. The Noise Action Plan it is not listed in themandatory or screening categories of the regulations, and so an SEA is not required.4

2. NOISE LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE2.1 NATIONAL NOISE LEGISLATION2.1.1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1992The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1992 contains provisions concerning with noisewhich is a nuisance or would endanger human health or damage property or harm the environment.The following Sections of the Act are relevant to noise pollution:Section 106: The Minister for the Environment has power, after consultation with other concernedMinisters and the EPA, to make regulations for the purpose of the preventing or limiting of anynoise, which may give rise to a nuisance or constitute a danger to health or damage property. Todate no such regulations have been introduced.Section 107: Gives power to Local Authorities to serve a Notice on any person in charge of premises,processes or works, other than an activity which is licensable under IPPC, when they consider that itis necessary to do so in order to prevent or limit noise. The EPA has the same power in relation tolicensable activities.Section 108: This allows for an individual affected by noise nuisance to seek an order from theDistrict Court directing an alleged polluter to take appropriate measures to reduce or control noiseemissions from their property or business. This Section may be used by a local authority when thealleged polluter has not complied with the terms of a Section 107 Notice. This Section isimplemented by The Environmental Protection Act (Noise) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 179 of 1994).Offaly County Council has not developed a policy statement regarding the assessment of noisenuisance. Complaints about noise from commercial and industrial activities that are causing nuisanceare currently investigated by Offaly Local Authorities. Complaints about noise from domesticpremises are not investigated by Offaly Local Authorities, except in exceptional circumstances.2.1.2 THE ROADS ACT, 1993Section 77 of the Roads Act 1993 enables the Minister for the Environment, following consultationwith the Environmental Protection Agency, to introduce regulations requiring Road Authorities orthe National Roads Authority as the case may be, to carry out works to mitigate adverse effectscaused by increased road traffic noise following the construction of new roads or the improvement5

of existing roads. To date no such regulations have been implemented.2.2 NATIONAL, REGIONAL & LOCAL PLANNING GUIDELINES2.2.1 SPATIAL PLANNING AND NATIONAL ROADS GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING AUTHORITIES PUBLISHEDJANUARY 2012These guidelines set out planning policy considerations relating to development affecting nationalprimary and secondary roads, outside the 50-60 km/h speed limit zones for cities, towns andvillages. The guidelines also apply to motorways.The guidelines replace the document Policy and Planning Framework for Roads, published by theDepartment in 1985; supplement other policy guidance on roads related matters in other Ministerialguidelines in relation to retail planning and sustainable rural housing and replace the National RoadsAuthority policy statement on national roads published in May 2006.The guidelines, which have been prepared in consultation with representatives from localauthorities, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and the National Roads Authority, willassist road and planning authorities, the National Roads Authority, National Transport Authority andproviders of public transport in relation to their involvement in the overall planning process.2.2.2 REGIONAL PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR THE MIDLANDSThe strategic goals for the region are outlined in the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Midlands2004 - 2016. Of particular note is “Goal 7: To develop and market a distinct and unique image andidentity for the region that will attract investment and economic activity to the region”.The guiding principal is to develop the image of the region as the heart of Ireland, an area with highquality of life in a relatively unspoilt environment, which relies on the continued protection andenhancement of valuable natural resources – agricultural land, lakes, rivers, canals, peatlands anduplands; and the built heritage of the region.The preservation of environmental integrity in terms of water and air quality and the visualenvironment as well as preservation from obtrusive noise will play an important role in maintainingthis image which is important for the attraction of investment and population growth.6

2.2.3 WIND ENERGY PLANNING GUIDELINESThe Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) planning guidelines forwind energy address the issue of noise generated from this type of development. The DoEHLGdocument suggests a “lower fixed limit of 45 dB(A) or a maximum increase of 5 dB(A) abovebackground noise at nearby noise sensitive locations”. The latter requirement may be relaxed inareas with low background levels. A fixed limit of 43 dB(A) at night-time is deemed appropriatewhen the main requirement is to prevent sleep disturbance rather than protect external amenity.2.2.4 QUARRIES AND ANCILLARY ACTIVITIESA new system of one-off registration for all quarries was introduced by Section 261 of the Planningand Development Act, 2000. Only those quarries for which planning permission was obtained in the5-year period before S261 became operational were excluded.The Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government published guidelines forPlanning Authorities for quarries and ancillary activities in April 2004, including recommended noiseconditions for inclusion as part of registration or where a full planning permission was required.Depending on the complexity of the quarrying operation, noise conditions were included as part ofthe registration process and as part of the planning process for quarry extension applications.2.2.5 BUILDING REGULATIONS – TECHNICAL DOCUMENT EThe current Irish Building Regulations call for certain constructions to offer “reasonable resistance”to both airborne and impact sound. In the absence of any form of objective criterion, reference isoften made to the guidance values put forward in the “similar construction” method described inthe Technical Guidance Document E.The Regulations apply to the transmission of sound between adjoining residential dwellings, such aswithin apartment blocks, or semi-detached properties, they do not relate to the transmission ofsound from the outside environment into the living accommodation.Future amendments to this document may include soundproofing guidelines and standards for alldevelopments to protect or limit the occupants from exposure to significant transport noise sources.7

2.2.6 OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2008 – 2014Aside from the guidelines for spatial planning for national roads, wind energy developments, andquarries and ancillary activities, there is no national policy or guidance to address noise issues aspart of the planning process.It is the Council’s policy that planning permissions will not normally be granted for newdevelopments or extensions of existing industrial, leisure, or other uses that produce significant andunacceptable levels of noise and/or vibration at site boundaries or within adjacent sensitive areas,especially residential areas.2.2.7 OFFALY LOCAL AUTHORITIES PLANNING STANDARDSThe following noise limits are generally stipulated for industrial and commercial developments closeto residential areas:LAeq (60 minutes) 55dB(A) 8.00 to 20.00.LAeq (15 minutes) 45dB(A) 20.00 to 8.00.For all other planning applications, a general requirement to control noise emission duringconstruction is stated such as “excessive noise, dust, construction traffic, caused during constructionof the development shall be contained at an acceptable level”. For planning applications requiringenvironmental impact assessments where noise is considered as a possible impact, the noise limitsor conditions are decided on a case by case basis.2.3 NATIONAL ROADS AUTHORITY GUIDELINES2.3.1 GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF NOISE AND VIBRATION IN NATIONAL ROAD SCHEMEThe National Roads Authority has published the document Guidelines for the Treatment of Noise andVibration in National Road Schemes which sets out the procedure to be followed in respect of “theplanning and design of national road schemes”.The Authority proposed an operational design goal of 60dB L den free field value including reflectionsfrom the façade. This means that for any new road scheme the Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) must take this target into account with regard to any existing sensitive residential propertylikely to be affected by the road scheme.The guidelines present an approach to mitigating the adverse effects of road noise in so far as8

possible through the use of measures such as alignment changes, barrier construction e.g. earthmounds, and the use of low noise road surfaces. The responsibility for considering noise mitigationpolicy relating to any proposed new sensitive properties in the vicinity of the road scheme lies withthe relevant Planning Authority.2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE GUIDELINES2.4.1 INTEGRATED POLLUTION PREVENTION CONTROL & WASTE LICENSINGNoise conditions are routinely imposed by the EPA as part of the IPPC and Waste Licensing activities.The relevant guidance is set out in the EPA publication Guidance Note for Noise in Relation toScheduled Activities. This document contains suggested noise limits of 55 dB(A) LAr,T for daytimeand 45dB(A) LAeq,T for night time; with said limits to be applied to “noise sensitive locations”.The guidance note also states that the noise from the licensed facility should not be so loud, socontinuous, so repeated of such a duration or pitch and it should not occur at such times as to givereasonable grounds for annoyance.These limits have a specific application; however they have appeared in many different contexts andoften form the basis for conditions in planning permissions. Similar noise conditions are alsoimposed on waste-licensed facilities.2.4.2 WASTE PERMIT FACILITIESOffaly Local Authorities impose noise conditions on permitted Waste Facilities where noise isconsidered to be a potential issue. These conditions are similar to the EPA waste licence conditions.9

3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION PLAN AREA3.1 DESCRIPTION OF COUNTY OFFALYOffaly is an inland county in the province of Leinster. It borders with the counties of Westmeath,Meath, Kildare, Laois, Tipperary, Galway, and Roscommon. The area of Offaly is approximately 2,000km 2 , one fifth of the county comprises of peatland.3.2 POPULATION DATAOffaly’s population was recorded as 76,687 in the 2011 Census. This is an increase of 10.8% since2006. The population growth recorded within the county is illustrated in the Table 3.1.Approximately 40% of the population resides within the larger urban areas of Tullamore,Portarlington, Edenderry, Clara and Birr, 30% of the population resides within rural towns andvillages with populations of less than 2,000, while the remainder 30% of the people reside in thecountryside.Table 3.1 Population Densities of Offaly TownsTOWN – URBAN AREA POPULATION 2011 CENSUS % CHANGE 2006 – 2011Tullamore 11,346 4.1Edenderry 6,490 18.7Birr 4,428 8.2Clara 3,242 8.0Portarlington (North) 1,941 20.6Banagher 1,653 1.0Ferbane 1,165 0.1Daingean 1,037 -1.83.3 DESCRIPTION OF TOPOGRAPHY/GEOGRAPHICAL AREAThe topography of Offaly is generally flat, low lying with approximately one fifth of the land areamade up of peatlands. The Slieve Bloom Mountains are located in the south west, and in the centrerunning to the north west of the county there is a series of eskers.Other significant landscape features are the River Shannon which is located in the western boundaryand the Grand Canal which transverses the county.10

3.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION PLANNING AREAOffaly Local Authorities is responsible for Noise Action Planning relating to Major Roads carryinggreater than 3 million vehicles per annum through the County. The major roads are listed in Table3.1. Vehicle count data was obtained by the Local Authority and NRA road surveys.This Action Plan is not concerned with the possible sources of environmental noise listed below;such sources do not pertain to County Offaly:• Agglomerations of 250,000 or more inhabitants• Agglomerations of 100,000 or more inhabitants• Major Railways with 60,000 or more rail passages per year• Major Railways with 30,000 or more rail passages per year• Major Roads with 6 million vehicle passages per year• Major Airports with 50,000 or more movements per year3.4.1 AREA OF CONCERN WITHIN OFFALY COUNTYIn Article 10 of the Regulations the applicable areas for each Noise Action Plan, is outlined. The firstcycle of Noise Action Planning was concerned with the Agglomerations of Dublin City, Major Roadswith 6 million vehicles passages per year, Major Railway with 60,000 train passages per year, and aMajor Airport with 50,000 or more movements per year. These Plans were adopted in 2008 by therelevant Action Planning Authorities; none of these situations listed in Article 10 were relevant toCounty Offaly.The criteria for the second phase of Action Planning has reduced thresholds resulting in strategicmapping of Agglomerations for Cork City, Major Roads with 3 million vehicles passages per year, andMajor Railways with 30,000 train passages per year. As a consequence a number of major roadswere identified by the Strategic Noise Mapping carried out by the NRA within Offaly’s jurisdiction asillustrated in Figure 1. The traffic counts recorded during 2011 are considered typical conditions,during that year, there were no temporary non-typical conditions documented during this survey.The traffic count for non-national roads were found to be under the threshold of 3 million vehiclespassages per year; as a result no regional or local roads within Offaly County, were included in thescope of this Noise Action Plan. The sections of roadways for which noise mapping was required andare subject to consideration for action planning are outlined in Table 3.2.11

Table 3.2 Major Roads Included in the Noise Action PlanMAJOR ROADSDESCRIPTIONAPPROXIMATELENGTH KMM6 Transverse Section of Offaly County 8.1M7 Transverse Section of Offaly County 5.4N52 From county boundary at Ballybrought to Kilcormac 36.8N52From Kennedy’s Crossroads to Riverstown viajunction with N624.2Noise mapping results show that the average distance at which noise levels drop to below 55dB isapproximately 500 metres from the centre of the carriage way. Accordingly a band of 1Km centredon the carriage way is designated as being “near” the road. Properties within this band will beincluded in the assessment stage of the noise action plan.The boundary area will not be maintained where sections of the roads pass through developed ordensely populated urban areas. This will result in reducing the exposure distance; therefore onlybuildings in the immediate vicinity of the road may be designated as being near the source. Theareas of concern are illustrated in Figure 1.12

Figure 1 Area of Concern for the Purpose of Noise Action Plan3.4.2 GENERAL POPULATION EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC NOISE WITHIN OFFALY COUNTYThere are two main population clusters within Offaly County which may be exposed toenvironmental noise from major roads; specifically Tullamore and Birr towns located along the N52route.There are some rural settlements along the M6 and M7 which experience environmental noise fromtraffic. This is considered negligible due to the mitigating measures incorporated during theconstruction of the motorways, as described in the Environmental Impact Assessment and RouteSelection stages of the motorway planning process. These measures include earthen embankments,landscaping, timber barriers, and low noise road surfaces13

Similarly, the traffic noise at residential properties along the newly constructed N52 – Tullamorebypass, which experiences environmental noise from traffic, is considered low due to the mitigatingmeasures incorporated during the construction of the road, as described in the EnvironmentalImpact Assessment and Route Selection stages of the Tullamore bypass planning process.3.4.3 LOCATION OF NOISE SENSITIVE BUILDINGSCertain locations and building types are considered to be more sensitive to noise pollution thanothers. The main priority of the END is to reduce noise exposure in residential areas, but it is alsorecommended that educational and health care facilities be designated as noise sensitive buildings.In accordance with this guidance and in line with the action plan area, the following buildings aredesignated as being noise sensitive locations; St. Colmcille’s Church located at Durrow, DurrowNational School within the vicinity of N52, St. Brendan’s (Church of Ireland) adjacent to N52 in Birr,and St. Brendan’s Church (Roman Catholic) adjacent to N52 in Birr.These sensitive locations will not be assessed for priority mitigation activity during the actionplanning period, but rather considered in the overall strategy for long term management of noisepollution.There are other noise sensitive buildings located within the towns such as schools, place of worship,palliative care units, health care centres. However they are not located within the immediate vicinityof the major roads and should therefore be exposed to lower traffic noise levels.14

3.5 DESCRIPTION OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE3.5.1 ROAD NETWORKThere are 2,000 km of road network in County Offaly:• 18 km of National Primary Roads M6 and M7• 123 km of National Secondary Roads comprising of(i) N52 (Nenagh to Dundalk)(ii) N62 (Horse and Jockey to Athlone)(iii) N80 (Enniscorthy to Moate)• 344 km of Regional Roads• 1524 km of County Roads3.5.2 RAIL NETWORKCounty Offaly is centrally located along the National Interconnecting Rail Corridors for Galway, Mayoand Midlands. Iarnród Eireann plans to increase the frequency of services on the main line byproviding a second line between Portarlington and Galway, strengthening the public transport linksin the Midlands Gateway, and providing rail links between Clara and Mullingar, and Enfield toEdenderry.3.5.3 BUS NETWORKPublic bus services in the County are operated by Bus Éireann and private operators. They consist ofthe following:• Bus Éireann Expressway Services• School bus services operated by both Bus Éireann and Private Operators on behalf of theDepartment of Education and Science• Private Bus Services• Rural Transport servicing West Offaly and Offaly/Kildare Region operated by privateoperators.15

4. RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY FOR ACTIONPLANNING4.1 RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY FOR ACTION PLANNINGOffaly Local Authorities is responsible for the adoption and implementation of this Noise Action Plan.For clarification or further details please contact the following:Director for Environment & Water Services Telephone: 057 9346800Áras an Chontae Fax: 057 9346868Charleville Road Website: www.offaly.ieTullamore Email: webmaster@offalycoco.ieCo. Offaly4.2 OTHER BODIES OF RELEVANCEThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responsibility for submitting summaries of theactions plans to the European Commission. The National Roads Authority will be involved in theimplementation of any mitigation measures on the national routes.4.3 DESCRIPTION OF ANY NOISE-REDUCTION MEASURES ALREADY IN FORCE WITHINTHE ACTION PLANNING AREAThe National Roads Authority has incorporated noise reduction measures on recently constructedM6 and M7 motorway projects. The noise reduction measures comprise of low noise road surfacing,noise barriers – earthen embankments and landscape planting.The Tullamore by-pass has incorporated similar noise reduction measures mentioned for the M6 andM7 motorway projects. The population located along this section of N52 are exposed to traffic noisefrom believed to be at the lower noise levels.4.4 DESCRIPTION OF ANY NOISE-REDUCTION MEASURES CONSIDERED FOR FUTUREPROJECTSThe N52 route between Arden in Tullamore, and the connection with M6 Motorway at Kilbeggan,will be upgraded to a dual carriageway. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is complete, theroute selection approved, and planning permission granted. The scheme, when constructed will cotocomply with EIA mitigation measures. It is expected the noise level experienced by the sensitivereceptors from the new route will be lower due to these mitigation measures. This scheme is16

delayed due to funding constraints.The N52 route through Birr and Kilcormac is recognised by the Offaly Local Authorities asproblematic in terms of traffic management, road safety and road maintenance. It is planned toredirect HGVs and through-traffic onto relief roads around the outskirts of the towns subject tofunding. During the planning and construction phases of these relief routes, the appropriate noisemitigation measures will be considered and installed to reduce the noise impact on any noisesensitive buildings.17

5. SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS OF THE NOISEMAPPING PROCESS5.1 PREPARATION OF THE NOISE MAPSThe lengths of the national road network within Offaly’s functional area carrying greater than 3million vehicle passages per annum were identified by the NRA using the National Traffic Model. TheNRA prepared strategic noise mapping for these qualifying lengths of national roads using themethodology required by the Regulations. The regional and local roads within the county did notyield traffic volumes to warrant inclusion within this noise action plan.The model used was the UK national computation method Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN)published by UK Department of Transport 1988, as set out in Annex 11 to the Environmental NoiseDirective.This model takes into account information such as traffic flow, vehicle composition, traffic speed,road width, road gradient, roadside barriers and features which affect the spread of noise such asbuildings and the shape of the ground, and whether the surfaces are acoustically absorbent e.g.fields, or reflective such as paving or water bodies.5.2 PRESENTATION OF RESULTS5.2.1 NOISE CONTOUR MAPSThe Strategic Noise Maps produced from the application of this modelling technique are given inAppendix C. Each map is at a scale of 1:10,000 and includes colour coded grids for each noise band,from relatively noisy to quiet. The noise contours reflect an annual average 24-hour period. The L dencontours range between 55 dB and 75 dB, in 5 dB bandwidths. The L night contours range from 50 dBto 75 dB in 5 dB bandwidths. The L den and L night are defined as follows:• L day – The A weighted average sound level over the 12 hour day period of 07.00 – 19.00• L evening – The A weighted average sound level over the 4 hour evening period of 19.00 – 23.00• L night – The A weighted average sound level over the 8 hour night period of 23.00 – 07.00• L den – The day, evening, night sound level. L den is a logarithmic composite of the L day , L evening ,and L night levels, with 5 dB(A) weighting added to the L evening value and 10 dB (A) weightingadded to L night value.18

Areas with noise levels of less than 55 dB L den and less than 50 dB L night are not mapped; these levelsare below the threshold for inclusion in accordance with the legislation.5.2.2 SUMMARY EXPOSURE STATISTICS FOR ACTION PLANNING AREAThe number of people exposed to traffic noise pollution in the study areas, at each 5 dB band; wereestimated by layering the noise band map with the geodirectory layer, this work was done by theNRA. Results are listed in Table 5.1.Table 5.1 Number of People Exposed to Day-Time & Night-Time Noise EmissionsL DENdBAPPROXNO. OFPEOPLEEXPOSEDAPPROXAREAKM 2APPROXNO. OFDWELLINGSL NIGHTdBAPPROXNO OFPEOPLEEXPOSEDAPPROXAREAKM 2APPROXNO. OFDWELLINGS65 114 2 66>75 3 0.6 1 >75 0 0 05.3 LIMITATIONS OF THE NOISE MAPS AND RESULTSComputer predictive modelling generated the noise values that were used to produce these maps,rather than field survey monitoring of noise within the vicinity of the major roads. For modellingpurposes all building heights are assumed to be at 8 metres This modelling approach conforms tothe Environmental Noise Regulations, 2006.The strategic maps are based on parameters which are averaged data-sets, providing estimatednoise levels within a specific environment. Traffic on the Major Roads is the single predominantsource of noise. The maps are not representative of other circumstances influencing environmentalnoise, such as traffic on minor roads, industrial activities within the area, and wind profiles.The maps are not relevant to the assessment of quiet areas in open countryside. By definition theseareas are undisturbed by noise from traffic, industry or recreational activity. They are not located inthe vicinity of major roadways and will lie outside the lowest contour band on the noise maps.In relation to the quiet areas inside agglomerations, the mapping will identify only the major roadsas a noise source to the area. The maps do not represent the noise levels attributed from lesser usedcarriageways that may transverse the quiet areas and which may contribute significantly to the19

overall noise levels.20

6. IDENTIFICATION OF NOISE MANAGEMENTAREAS6.1 ASSESSING AND PRIORITISING ACTIONSThere are no statutory limits in relation to environmental noise exposures at EU or national level.The EPA recommends as set out in Guidance Note for Noise Action Planning is that the proposedonset levels for assessment of noise mitigation and preservation measures due to road traffic shouldbe as follows:MitigationPreservation70 dB L den and 57 dB L night55 dB L den and 45 dB L nightIn order to identify the areas in most need for noise action measures, a noise scoring decision matrixwas developed by Dublin City Council. The final matrix score is determined on three variables. Thevariables are:a) The calculated environment noise level – based on the NRA strategic mapsb) The type of Location e.g. town centre, commercial or residentialc) The noise source i.e. industrial, road, and rail etc.A total score for each area is calculated by adding the score for each variable. Areas scoring above acertain level are prioritised for further assessment.a) The Calculated Environmental Noise LevelThe score assigned under the noise level variable ranges from 1 to 6. Higher values are scored atboth ends of the noise range, ie. 75 dB. In this way areas which are “quiet” and requirepreservation and areas subject to high levels of noise are likely to be further assessed.b) The Type of LocationThe scores assigned are based on the type of land use in the area and the receptor type. The highestscores are assigned to noise sensitive locations e.g. Church or School, and to open countryside onthe basis that the residences require or expect lower ambient noise levels. The lowest score isassigned to large urban areas; they are expected to have high ambient noise levels.21

c) The Noise SourceIn the case of each assessment, road traffic noise is the only source of concern for Offaly. It issuggested in the Guidance Note for Noise Action Planning to impose an extra variable for thenumber of population exposed. Offaly Local Authorities did not consider this variable for a numberof reasons:• The number of residents for Noise Sensitive Locations such as Church or School will fluctuateon a migratory basis.• The residents’ routines will differ, for example two households located in open countrysideexposed to the same noise levels will not be affected the same way. One household mayvacate the property during the day, as they are working and/or are in full time education. Inthe other property the residents may inhabit the property all day.6.2 QUIET AREAS WITHIN AGGLOMERATIONSThe Regulations require the Action Planning Authority to delimit quiet areas within agglomerations.In Offaly County functional area there are no qualifying agglomerations.6.3 QUIET AREAS IN OPEN COUNTRYSIDEThere are no legislative thresholds limits for noise to define areas as quiet areas in open countryside.It is not possible to clearly identify quiet areas in open countryside from the results on the strategicmapping; as the mapping is solely concerned with traffic sourced noise. It will be difficult toincorporate such areas into the action plan. Quiet areas are defined as “an area, delimited by theaction planning authority following consultation with the Agency and approval by the Minister, thatis undisturbed by noise from traffic, industry or recreational activities”The areas listed in Table 6.1, are classified as high sensitivity and high amenity in Offaly’s CountyDevelopment Plan 2009 – 2015. It is Offaly Local Authorities’ intention to take cognisance of theseareas when considering locations for approval to designate locations as quiet areas in opencountryside, to preserve them from the affects of environmental noise.22

NOISE SENSITIVEBUILDINGSL DENCONTOURBAND dBL NIGHTCONTOURBAND dBTOTALMATRIXSCOREACTION TO BE CONSIDEREDSt. Colmcille’s Church 60 - 64

AUTHORITYPlanning AuthoritiesPOTENTIAL MEASURERequire Façade Insulation – secondary and triple glazing.Limit noise emissions within the environs of New Developmentsby specifying Noise Limits as part of the Planning Conditions.Define Planning Zones by considering the potential risk toresidential properties located near or close to potentialenvironmental noise sources.Specify Noise Barriers for new developments.From Table 7.1 it is clear that a number of Authorities have a role to play in noise mitigation andfurthermore that a range of measures are available which may each provide incremental mitigation.There are essentially two routes to noise abatement. The first route is to control the noise emissionat source; limiting vehicle noise emissions, all vehicles to be fitted with rolling noise tyres,construction of low noise road surfaces and traffic management. The second route is to reduceenvironmental noise from the exposed population by means of insulation such as noise barriers andsound proofing buildings and to increase the distance between the source of the noise and therecipients.7.5.1 VEHICLE NOISE EMISSIONS DIRECTIVE – 2007/734/ECAll vehicles bought and sold within the EU must meet specific technical requirements; the ECDirective 1970/157 and its subsequent amendments, specifies maximum sound levels for each classof vehicle. These limits have not changed since the 1992 amendment, for example the noise limit forpassenger cars is 74 dB. Heavy Goods Vehicles range between 77 dB and 80 dB, depending on size.It is expected that future amendments to Vehicle Noise Emission Directive will focus on reducing thenoise limit on all classes of new Vehicles.7.5.2 LABELLING OF TYRES WITH RESPECT TO FUEL EFFICIENCY AND OTHER ESSENTIAL PARAMETERS -REGULATION (EC) NO: 1222/2009The purpose of this Regulation is sustainable mobility while protecting the environment. Specifictyre labelling, see Figure 2, is implemented. From the 1st November 2012, every new tyre soldwithin the EU shall bear this label, indicating its sustainability – the fuel efficiency, safety – skidresistance and rolling noise level in dB.27

Figure 2 ECO Labelling of New Tyres7.5.3 LOW NOISE ROAD SURFACESRoad surface is an important parameter regarding traffic noise production. Numerous studies haveconcluded that at greater traffic speeds the quietest passage was on 2-layer porous asphalt surface.The variation in noise levels between the different surfaces ranged from 8 dB at low speeds to about12 dB at high speeds. The porous surfaces showed evidence of acoustic absorption, curbing theeffect on tyre noise and propulsion noise, making such surfaces effective for motorways.7.5.4 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENTTraffic noise is influenced by speed and flow. Limiting traffic speed reduces noise, particularly if thespeed is limited to the range 50 – 80 km/h. Traffic management measures have positive impacts onnoise emissions, air quality and road safety. Reduction in traffic can be achieved by promoting publictransport, encouraging cycling and walking, parking management, HGV bans, route designation, roadbypasses, while smart tuning of traffic lights reduces the stop and go traffic which producessignificant levels of noise in urban areas.28

7.5.5 ANTI-PROPAGATION MEASURES (NOISE BARRIERS, INSULATION)On average, noise barriers reduce noise levels by 3 – 6 dB(A) depending on their design and height.Roadside barriers are only acceptable for motorways or bypass routes; they are clearly not suitablefor urban areas.Where noise barriers or at-source measures are inadequate, sound insulation of the building mustbe considered for example high quality glazing, insulated walls, etc. But environmental noise willpenetrate the building when a window is open.The planning process has the potential to be a significant influence on the future exposure toenvironment noise by separating noise emitting activities; distancing Major Roads from noisesensitive receptors such as residential buildings, hospitals, places of worship and educationalfacilities. This may not be applicable in areas of landscape constraints, however with a focus onacoustical management then clever arrangement of such infrastructure will generate an attractiveacoustic climate for everyone.7.6 PROTECTION MEASURESOffaly Local Authorities will undertake to protect sensitive areas from environmental noise byutilising the planning process.• To incorporate the aims of the present and future noise action plans into County, Town andLocal Area Development Plans by employing acoustical planning when designating zones,incorporating traffic management measures with a focus to protecting existing settlementsfrom environmental noise.• Planning applicants will be encouraged to produce a sound impact assessment andimplement noise abatement in the new developments or refurbishing of properties withinthe vicinity of major roads.7.7 PROPOSED LONG TERM APPROACH TO NOISE MITIGATIONThe Councils will endeavour to manage exposure to environmental noise where necessary, using themost appropriate measures. These measures will aim to prevent, reduce or relocate noise in orderto minimise the number of people affected by traffic noise emissions. The actions taken will bestrategic in nature and represent a best practice approach to environmental noise mitigation and thelimitation of exposure to environmental noise.29

7.8 ASSESSMENT OF OPTIONS – COST BENEFIT ANALYSISIn order to undertake an assessment of feasibility and develop a prioritised list of actions, a costbenefit analysis will be undertaken to maximise value for money and deliver a return on investment.The cost benefit analysis will address construction and maintenance cost against noise reductionbenefit. Assessment of noise benefit involves the use of the strategic noise models to determineestimates of noise reduction from identified design options.Measures to reduce noise at-source are considered more cost effective than those to restrict itspropagation, because the benefits achieved will dramatically exceed their costs. KPMG 2005reported that tightening the limits of noise emission from tyres and vehicles would cause very littleadditional cost to the automotive industry.By contrast, a householder may soundproof their property to reduce the penetration ofenvironmental noise into noise sensitive rooms such as the bedroom, the benefit in noise reductionmay be small scale at significant cost to the owner while the source of the noise continues.In the EC working group position paper from 2003, Working Group on Health and Socio-EconomicValuation of Noise the benefit of noise reduction is estimated in monetary terms as €25 perhousehold per decibel per year. For example the installation of a noise barrier 100 metres in length,3 metres high with a 20 year design, at a cost of €200 per m 2 to benefit 25 houses with a reduction innoise of 5 dB; will cost €60,000 to construct, while benefiting the householders to the value of€62,500.7.9 BUDGETARY PROVISIONSFinancial provisions have not been made available at national level to fund staffing, noiseassessment measures, mitigation measures or additional noise mapping requirements resulting fromimplementation of this plan. Due to the lack of such resources, any mitigation measures will bestrictly prioritised. It is envisaged that any mitigation measures taken by Offaly Local Authorities willbe found to benefit both the community and the local authority.30

8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION8.1 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONIn developing the Noise Action Plan and in accordance with the Regulations Offaly Local Authoritieswill publish the Draft Noise Action Plan seeking responses and feedback from statutory bodies andinviting the general public to make submissions.8.2 RESPONSES TO THE PUBLIC CONSULTATIONThe draft plan will be issued for public consultation for a period of six weeks commencing 22 nd July,2013. The public consultation process will be in line with the “Reaching Out – Guidelines onConsultation” for public sector bodies.The plan will be available to download from www.offaly.ie and it will be available for inspection atOffaly Local Authorities Offices at Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore; Birr Town Council,Civic Offices & Library, Wilmer Road, Birr; Tullamore Town Council, Acres Hall, Cormac Street,Tuallmore and Edenderry Town Council, Market Square, Edenderry during office hours. A publicnotice will be published in the local newspapers inviting the public to submit their comments on theplan in writing to: Director for Environment & Water Services, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road,Tullamore, or by email to webmaster@offalycoco.ie8.3 MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESPONSESThe Public Consultation and the Respondents Information forms will be issued; the public will beasked how they want responses and contact details to be dealt with for this Noise Action Plan havingregard to Freedom of Information Regulations and Date Protection Act8.4 CONSULTATION WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERSThe plan will be submitted to the following bodies, Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport;Department of Environment, Community and Local Government; Environmental Protection Agency;National Roads Authority; Health Services Executive; An Taisce; Westmeath, Roscommon, GalwayLaois, North Tipperary, Kildare Local Authorities, Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries of Ireland inaccordance with the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment)Regulations 2007 and the guidance notes published by Department of Environment, Heritage andLocal Government.31

9. IMPLEMENTATION OF PLANThe proposed approach for the implementation of this Noise Action Plan is set out below.9.1 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESOffaly Local Authorities is the designated Action Planning Authority for the development,implementation and review of this Noise Action Plan.The National Roads Authority is considered a key stakeholder to Offaly Local Authorities during theimplementation of the action plan. The NRA will develop and retain the strategic noise mapping andthey are the body responsible for the planning and supervision of construction and maintenance ofnational roads, and motorways.All major roads within County Offaly identified as sources of environmental noise for the purpose ofthis Noise Action Plan are classified as National roads.9.2 OBJECTIVESIt is Offaly Local Authorities’ goal to adopt a strategic approach to the management ofenvironmental noise with a view of preventing and reducing noise where necessary, and inparticular, where exposure levels can induce harmful effects on human health, and to promote ahigh level of environmental protection.9.3 PROGRAMME OF WORKSThe Noise Action Plan is to be implemented through a staged process over a period of 5 years; as setout in the Table 9.1. Such works undertaken will be considered in the second round of strategicnoise mapping in 2017. The implementation of the Action Plan will be reviewed and reported withinthe second round of Noise Action Plan due to be completed in 2018.32

Table 9.1 Programme of Works for Noise Action PlanTIMEFRAMEYear 1 (2014)Year 2 (2015)Year 3 (2016)Year 4 (2017)Year 5 (2018)PROGRAMME OF WORKSSUBJECT TO COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING.Identify priority areas for possible noise mitigation and preservation, based on theresults of the strategic noise maps and decision support matrix and liaise withinterested parties and other stakeholders.Incorporate action planning measures and best practice noise policy into theCounty Development Plan (2014-2020).Evaluate the actual noise impact at sensitive buildings or locations.Commence implementation of appropriate noise management actions, wherenecessary.Continue with implementation of appropriate noise management actions.Evaluate effectiveness of any noise reduction measuresReview impact and success of Noise Action Plan.9.4 EVALUATION, REVIEW AND CORRECTIVE ACTION PROGRAMMEOffaly Local Authorities will review the effectiveness of noise action planning activities on an ongoingbasis. This will be done by annual review of the progress made in relation to the programme,outlined in Section 9.3. If necessary, adjustments may be made to the schedule and the nature ofplanned activities to achieve better success of the goals of the action plan.Offaly Local Authorities will carry out a review of the programme of works implemented in the finalyear 2018. Progress and results will be evaluated using information gathered through localassessment of noise exposure. This will include “before and after” evaluations of any noisemitigation or preservation measures.A review of new noise maps will be carried out, where they may indicate changes in noise levels andthe number of people exposed.33

10. SUMMARY OF NOISE ACTION PLANThis Noise Action Plan is prepared as a requirement of Environmental Noise Regulations, 2006. Itsaim is to avoid, prevent and reduce, on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance,due to long term exposure to environmental noise. This will be achieved by taking a strategicapproach to managing environmental noise in the context of sustainable development.10.1 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS10.1.1 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENTOffaly Local Authorities intends to incorporate noise management into the planning process with theview of reducing and preventing possible increases in environmental noise on sensitive locations orbuildings from sources such as roads, railways and industrial facilities. The following course ofactions will take place:• Review County Development Plan to include noise control and management.• Include Noise Assessment and Control in the County Development Plan.• All developments; below the threshold for EIA requirements, will be required to undertakenoise impact screening or assessment.• New developments of Noise Sensitive Buildings within the vicinity of a significant noisesource will be required to include noise insulation and control measures.10.1.2 NOISE REDUCTION OF EXISTING SOURCESNoise reduction of long term environmental noise from existing sources, where necessary, will beconsidered within the area of concern, as illustrated by strategic noise mapping undertaken by NRAin 2012.10.1.3 PRESERVATION OF QUIET AREASThe preservation of relatively quiet areas in the vicinity of major noise sources, and quiet areas inthe open countryside, will be considered and reviewed as part of the implementation of the NoiseAction Plan.34

APPENDICES

Appendix AAPPENDIX A: GLOSSARY OF ACOUSTIC AND TECHNICAL TERMSTermDefinitionAgglomeration .............................. Major continuous urban area as set out in the Regulations.CRTN ............................................. Calculation of Road Traffic Noise 1988.The road traffic prediction methodology published by the UK Department ofTransport.Data .............................................. Data comprises information required to generate the outputs specified, andthe results specified.dB ................................................... DecibelEC .................................................. European CommissionEND ............................................... Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC)ESRI ............................................... Environmental Systems Research InstituteGIS ................................................. Geographic Information SystemISO ................................................. International Standards OrganisationNoise Bands .................................. Areas lying between contours of the following levels (dB):L den

Appendix BEUROPEAN AND IRISH LEGISLATIONAPPENDIX B: BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES• Regulation (EC) No. 1222/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25November 2009 – on the labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essentialparameters.• European Communities (2007) Directive 2007/34/EC of 14 th June 2007 amending, for thepurposes of its adaption to technical progress, Council Directive 70/157/EEC concerning thepermissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles.• European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007,(S.I. No. 133 of 2007).• European Communities (Noise Emission by Equipment for Use Outdoors) (Amendment)Regulations 2006, (S.I. No. 241 of 2006).• Environmental Noise Regulations 2006, (S.I. No. 140 of 2006).• Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004,(S.I. No. 436 of 2004).• Protection of the Environment Act, 2003.• Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2003.• Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 and 2003.• Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Noise) Regulations, 1994(S.I. No. 179 of 1994).• First Schedule to the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels)Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 118 of 1998).• European Commission (2003). Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of theCouncil of 28 January 2003 on Public Access to Environmental Information. OJ L 41,14/02/2003, Luxemburg 2003.• European Commission (2002). Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of theCouncil of 25 June 2002 relating to the Assessment and Management of EnvironmentalNoise. OJ L 189, 18/07/2002, Luxemburg 2002.• European Commission (1996). Council Directive 96/61/EC concerning Integrated PollutionPrevention and Control. OJ L 257, 10/10/96, Luxemburg 1996.ii

Appendix BIRISH PUBLICATIONS• Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Spatial Planning &National Roads - Guidelines for Planning Authorities, January 2012.• Offaly County Development Plan 2009 - 2015• Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Sustainable ResidentialDevelopment in Urban Areas - Consultation Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities,February 2008.• Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Urban Design Manual: ABest Practice Guide. A companion document to the Draft Planning Guidelines on SustainableResidential Development in Urban Areas, February 2008.• Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Sustainable UrbanHousing: Design Standards for New Apartments - Guidelines for Planning Authorities,September 2007.• Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, European Communities(Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 133 of 2007) -Guidance for Public Authorities and others in relation to implementation of the Regulations,2007.• Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Wind Energy PlanningGuidelines, 2006.• Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Quarries and AncillaryActivities – Guidelines for Planning Authorities, April 2004.• Midland Regional Authority Regional Planning Guidelines, May 2004.• Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Building Regulations 1997,Technical Guidance Document E – Sound, 1997.• Department of the Taoiseach, Reaching Out – Guidelines on Consultation for Public SectorBodies, 2005.• National Roads Authority, Environmental Impact Assessment of National Road Schemes – APractical Guide, 2005.• National Roads Authority, Guidelines for the Treatment of Noise and Vibration in NationalRoad Schemes, Revision 1, October 2004.• Community Support Framework (CSF) Evaluation Unit, Proposed Working Rules for Cost-Benefit Analysis, June 1999.iii

Appendix BEPA PUBLICATIONS• Environmental Protection Agency, Guidance Note for Strategic Noise Mapping for theEnvironmental Noise Regulations 2006, July 2009.• Environmental Protection Agency, Guidance Note for Noise In Relation To ScheduledActivities, 2nd Edition, 2006.• Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Management Guidelines, EnvironmentalManagement in the Extractive Industry (Non-Scheduled Minerals, 2006.• Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Noise Survey Guidance Document, 2003.• Environmental Protection Agency, Advice Notes on Current Practice (in the preparation ofEnvironmental Impact Statements), 2003.• Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Quality Objectives – Noise in Quiet Areas(2000-MS-14-M1), Environmental RTDI Programme 2000 – 2006. (Authors Waugh, D.,Durucan, et. al.), 2003.UK PUBLICATIONS• Calculations of Road Traffic Noise (CTRN), Department of Transport, 1988.iv

Appendix BEC PUBLICATIONS• European Commission Working Group Assessment of Exposure to Noise (WG-AEN), PositionPaper, Presenting Noise Mapping Information to the Public, March 2008.• European Commission, Reporting Mechanism proposed for the reporting under theEnvironmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC - Overview, October 2007.• European Commission, Reporting Mechanism proposed for reporting under theEnvironmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC - Handbook (including Data Specifications),October 2007.• EC Green Paper, towards a new culture of urban mobility, 25 September 2007. IntegratedEnvironmental Management, Guidance in relation to the Thematic Strategy on the UrbanEnvironment, 2007.• Sustainable Urban Transport Plans, Preparatory Document in relation to the follow-up of theThematic Strategy on the Urban Environment, 25 September 2007.• European Commission Working Group Assessment of Exposure to Noise (WG-AEN), PositionPaper, Good Practice Guide for Strategic Noise Mapping and the Production of AssociatedData on Noise Exposure, Version 2, 13th August 2007.• European Commission Working Group Health & Socio-Economic Aspects (WGHSEA), WorkingPaper on the Effectiveness of Noise Measures, July 2005.• European Commission Working Group Health & Socio-Economic Aspects (WGHSEA), PositionPaper on Dose-Effect Relationship for Night Time Noise, 11 November 2004.• Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) 6 August 2003, Commission Recommendation2003/613/EC.• EC Contract B4-3040/2001/329750/MAR/C1 “Adaptation and revision of the interim noisecomputation methods for the purpose of strategic noise mapping”.• European Commission Working Group 2 – Dose/Effect, Position paper on dose responserelationships between transportation noise and annoyance, 2002.v

Appendix CStrategic Noise Maps L DEN Published by NRA - County OffalyAPPENDIX C: STRATEGIC NOISE MAPvi

Appendix CStrategic Noise Maps L NIGHT Published by NRA - County Offalyvii

Appendix DAPPENDIX D: OVERVIEW OF RECOMMENDED APPROACH TO DETERMINE ACTIONS TO BEUNDERTAKENConfirm Onset ofAssessmentCriteriaResults of Strategic Noise MappingConfirmPreservationCriteria forGood NoiseLevelsConfirmPrioritisationMatrix ScoringPremises BasedNoise ScoringLocate AreasBetween Upperand LowerThresholdsLocate AreasBelowPreservationThreshold for“Quiet AreasLocate Clustersof PremisesAbove OnsetThreshold for“hotspots”Confirm QuietArea CriteriaConfirm Extent ofImpactReview PossibleMitigationMeasuresIdentify Locationand Extents ofQuiet AreasRecommendationsfor ActionConfirm Proposals for Management of Environmental Noise, Preservation of Quiet Areas,Prevention of Exposure and Prevention of Amenityviii

Appendix EAPPENDIX E: COMPLETED DECISION SUPPORT MATRIXA decision support matrix is a chart which enables identification, analysis and rating of the strength of relationships between various sets of information. It enables anumber of different factors to be examined and facilitates the assessment of the relative importance of each. The template is the outlay used by Offaly Local Authorities toprioritise areas for noise management.Location:Criteria: Selection CriteriaNoise Bands dBType of LocationNoise SourcePriority MatrixTEMPLATEScore RangeL denTotal ScoreScore RangeL night75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commercial 1 2Residential 2 3Noise Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Airport 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4Subtotalix

Appendix ELocation: Residential Properties near M6 transversing Offaly Total Score 19Criteria: Selection CriteriaNoise Bands dBType of LocationNoise SourcePriority MatrixScore RangeL denScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3 5Noise Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7x

Appendix ELocation: Residential Properties near M7 – Transversing Offaly Total Score 19Criteria: Selection CriteriaNoise Bands dBType of LocationNoise SourcePriority MatrixScore RangeL denScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3 5Nosie Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xi

Appendix ELocation: Residential Properties near N52 CountyBoundary(Ballybrought) to Tuallmore By-Pass (Arden)Priority MatrixCriteria: Selection CriteriaScore RangeL denTotal Score 17Score RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3 5Type of LocationNosie Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Noise SourceIndustry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7Mitigation In-situ -3 -3xii

Appendix ELocation:Residential Properties along Tullamore bypass: Arden to MucklaghRoundabout Total Score 6Priority MatrixCriteria: Selection CriteriaScore Range Score Range SubtotalNoise Bands dBType of LocationNoise SourceL denL night75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3Noise Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xiii

Appendix ELocation: Residential Properties near N52 – Mucklagh Roundabout toBlueballPriority MatrixScore RangeCriteria: Selection CriteriaNoise Bands dBType of LocationNoise SourceL denTotal ScoreScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3 5Nosie Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xiv

Appendix ELocation: Residential Properties near N52 Blueball to Kilcormac Total Score 16Criteria: Selection CriteriaNoise Bands dBType of LocationNoise SourcePriority MatrixScore RangeL denScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3 5Nosie Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xv

Appendix ELocation: Residential Properties near N52 Kennedy’s Crossroads toRiverstown via N62 JunctionPriority MatrixScore RangeCriteria: Selection CriteriaNoise BandsdBType ofLocationNoise SourceL denTotal ScoreScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3 5Noise Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xvi

Appendix ELocation: St Colmcille’s Church - Durrow Total Score 19Criteria: Selection CriteriaNoise BandsdBType ofLocationNoise SourcePriority MatrixScore RangeL denScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3Noise Sensitive Buildings 3 3 6School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xvii

Appendix ELocation: Durrow National School Total Score 18Criteria: Selection CriteriaNoise BandsdBType ofLocationNoise SourcePriority MatrixScore RangeL denScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3Noise Sensitive Buildings 3 3School 3 1 4Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xviii

Appendix ELocation: St. Brendan’s Church of Ireland (Birr) Total Score 19Criteria: Selection CriteriaNoise BandsdBType ofLocationNoise SourcePriority MatrixScore RangeL denScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3Nosie Sensitive Buildings 3 3 6School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xix

Appendix ELocation: St. Brendan’s Roman Catholic Church Total Score 19Criteria: Selection CriteriaNoise BandsdBType ofLocationNoise SourcePriority MatrixScore RangeL denScore RangeL nightSubtotal75 4 6City Centre 1 1Commerical 1 2Residential 2 3Noise Sensitive Buildings 3 3 6School 3 1Quiet Area 3 3Recreational Open Space 2 2Air 3 4Industry 2 3Rail 2 3Road 3 4 7xx

Appendix FAPPENDIX F: NOISE LEVEL MAPSMap 1: Day-Time Noise Levels from M6 - Motorwayxxi

Appendix FMap 2: Night-Time Noise Levels from M6 - Motorwayxxii

Appendix FMap 3: Day-Time Noise Levels from M7 - Motorwayxxiii

Appendix FMap 4: Night-Time Noise Levels from M7 - Motorwayxxiv

Appendix FMap 5: Day-Time Noise Levels from N52 - County Boundary at Ballybought to Tullamore bypassxxv

Appendix FMap 6: Night-Time Noise Levels from N52 - County Boundary at Ballybrought to Tullamore bypassxxvi

Appendix FMap 7: Day-Time Noise Levels from N52 Tullamore bypassxxvii

Appendix FMap 8: Night-Time Noise Levels from N52 Tullamore bypassxxviii

Appendix FMap 9: Day-Time Noise Levels from N52 - Mucklagh Roundabout to Blueballxxix

Appendix FMap 10: Night-Time Noise Levels from N52 - Mucklagh Roundabout to Blueballxxx

Appendix FMap 11: Day-Time Noise Levels from N52 - Blueball to Kilcormacxxxi

Appendix FMap 12: Night-Time Noise Levels from N52 - Blueball to Kilcormacxxxii

Appendix FMap 13: Day-Time Noise Levels from N52 – Kennedy's Crossroads to Riverstown via N62 Junctionxxxiii

Appendix FMap 14: Night-Time Noise Levels from N52 – Kennedy's Crossroads to Riverstown via N62 Junctionxxxiv

Appendix GAPPENDIX G: PUBLIC CONSULTATIONxxxv

Appendix Gxxxvi

Appendix HAPPENDIX H: RESPONDANTS INFORMATION FORMxxxvii

Offaly County Council © Environment Section 2013