Leeds Bradford told to cut noise levels
23.12.07
Noise pollution at Leeds Bradford Airport will need to be cut to meet the EU environmental limits, according to the findings of a Government study. The airport has been asked to produce a plan to tackle the problem, after breaking sound limits set out in the EU's Environmental Noise Directive.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published maps to outline areas around the country's major airports that suffer noise nuisance this week. Its study will mean 18 of the country's airports, including Leeds Bradford, have to reduce noise pollution before another assessment in 5 years' time.
At its loudest, aircraft using Leeds Bradford Airport create 75 decibels of noise, affecting areas directly under flight paths and extending just into the tip of a residential area of Yeadon. The noise pollution drops with distance from the airport, but areas above the 55 decibel limit reach as far north as Guiseley Moor and south through the centre of Horsforth.
A Defra spokesman said: 'Under the EU's Environmental Noise Directive, 55 decibels during the day and 50 decibels during the night are the levels at which noise is deemed an irritant. 75 decibels is the same as a normal conversation or a vacuum cleaner and louder than a busy street. That level of noise constantly is an irritant.'
The airport already has some restrictions in place to limit noise pollution. Departing planes fly over less-populated areas, there is a limit on how many aircraft arrive and depart at once, and only the quietest aircraft are allowed to fly at night.
Leeds Bradford also operates a noise monitoring system that continually records aircraft noise, plus windows of nearby residential properties have been fitted with a third pane of glass and in some cases, air conditioning fitted to homes.
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