DERRY City and Strabane District Council is encouraging the public to act responsibly and to be more conscious about the effects of noise pollution.The message comes as part of Noise Action Week that takes place during 21 and 26 May and aims to raise awareness around the problems and solutions associated with excessive noise by promoting the message that prevention is better than cure.
Endorsing the initiative, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maoliosa McHugh said it was important that Council supported such initiatives and did what it can to raise awareness and offer advice to the public.
He said that noise pollution is a real issue for the Council and that during the period 01 April 2016 to 31 March 2017, it received 550 noise complaints, of which 306 were animal related including barking dogs, while 56 were in relation to party noise.
For the period 01 April 2017 to 31 March 2018, 530 noise complaints were received and 239 related to animal noise, including dogs barking, and 77 related to party noise.
He said that while there was a slight reduction in the total number of noise complaints received, the Council remained committed to reducing numbers further and creating more awareness among the public about the issues relating to noise,
He commented: “It is very good news that Council are backing this important campaign to raise awareness of the public health impact of noise pollution and that we are working proactively to encourage the public to be mindful of their neighbours by being more conscious of the impact any noise they generate has on those around them.
“By reducing the number of calls we get we can also reduce the amount of money spent dealing with this problem as we estimate that investigating noise complaints can cost Council between £130 and £7000 per complaint.
While animal related complaints, in particular barking dogs, are the main noise complaints, party noise, bird scarers, loudspeakers, construction works and noise from entertainment premises also feature.
Noise Action Week is co-ordinated by Environmental Protection UK, further information is available online at http://www.noiseactionweek.org.uk or @NoiseActionWeek.
Details on how to report noise pollution in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area is available by e mailing [email protected].
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