Westminster Open Spaces Noise Study 2008 Final Report

Westminster Open Spaces NoiseStudy 2008: Final Reportof 55 dB L Aeq , whilst a significant number of locations exceeded the average noise levelmeasured at the front façade of residential properties in Westminster during the 2008Westminster Noise Survey.5.1.4 When looking at the site classifications, it can be seen that the Metropolitan parks generallyexperience the lowest noise levels, whilst the highest levels are experienced at Civicspaces and Linear spaces. When compared with the suggested new typologies, LondonParks generally experience the lower noise levels, whilst the Civic Paved Spacesexperience the higher levels. For the other categories, a wider range or noise levels wererecorded.5.1.5 The measured noise levels have also been compared against the area of the open spaces.These results are presented graphically in Figure 4.Figure 4. Comparison of measured noise level and open space area100010010Area (Ha)140 45 50 55 60 65 70 750.10.01Noise Level L Aeq (dB)5.1.6 These results again show that the lowest noise levels are experienced in the largest openspaces (as the centres of these are generally the most distant from major transportationnoise sources).5.1.7 The smaller open spaces generally experience higher noise levels, although there is alarger range of levels across these.5.1.8 Further comparisons have been made, looking at both the overall tranquillity rating for eachsite, and the rating for man-made noise at each site in comparison with the measured noiselevels. These are presented in Figure 5 and Figure 6 below. It should be noted that thetranquillity ratings for man-made noise are negative values, as these factors detract fromthe overall tranquillity rating for a space.D121316/R1/0220Scott Wilson LtdMarch 2009