Julianstown Noise Page

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Read our submission.

The Noise map was put on public display on 27 August, 6 weeks late.

July 25, the council has now admitted that it has missed the July 18 deadline. It is saying that the EPA has not provided all the necessary materials and still is not in a position to say when it will publish its draft action plan.

Couple sue Luas over noise, a taste of things to come.

July 16 Coverage in Drogheda Indo.

Meath County Council replies, doesn't answer all the questions.

Good News: Progress is being made slowly.

Bad News: Noise maps are not publicly available.

We write again and ask them to answer the question: Where is the public display?

Read our press release here.

Summary

Noise in Julianstown is off the scale due to 7.5 million vehicles per year. The levels are harmful to human health and childhood learning. Meath County denies there is a problem with having 7.5 million vehicles per year travelling through a village.

According to Irish Law, Meath County Council is obliged to:

1. Reduce or eliminate harmful environmental noise

2. Prepare certain Noise Maps by June 2007 (including Julianstown)

3. Consult public and prepare action plans by 18 July 2008

4. Report to European Commission by 18 January 2009

5. Review every 5 years.

The NRA/Meath County Council have done a noise map but are currently in breach of  their obligation to make the data available to the public. We are not aware of a public consultation so it is likely they will also be in breach of 3 above.

Details

In 2006 the government transposed the Environmental Noise Directive into Irish Law which imposed obligations on various bodies including the National Roads Authority and County Councils including Meath County Council to reduce the impact of environmental noise on humans. This includes traffic Noise.

These bodies, called action planning authorities are obliged by law to draw up strategic noise maps and thereafter action plans to mitigate, reduce or eliminate the impact of environmental noise on people. They authorities are also obliged to make the information available to the public and to report to the European Commission.

Meath County Council is responsible for the R132 road through Julianstown which because it carries in excess of 6 million vehicles per day (actually 7.5 million) is included in the study alongside major cities and airports.

Meath County Council have not made their map available as required by law. As of 7 July 2008 they have not initiated a public consultation and are unlikely to satisfy the legal deadline for producing their noise action plan.

Click image for larger version
Click here for full version.

The Strategic Noise Map in fact showed that noise was off the scale in the centre of Julianstown and near the primary school at levels that are harmful to human health. The residents of Julianstown are eagerly awaiting the public consultation and resultant action plan due on 18 July 2008.

We believe that Meath County Council has failed to carry out its responsibilities under the Noise legislation by not making maps available on its web site and not carrying out a public consultation. We wrote to them on 30 June 2008 to ask them to update us on progress towards satisfying their legal obligations. When and if a response comes back we will keep you updated. The Council replied promptly (here) and told us that here was a Council Meeting on July 7th to decide on the path forward. It is certain that action plans will not be produced before the 18 July deadline but at least progress is being made.

They have still not made the information available on their website and we have asked them to tell us how they have satisfied their obligations to make the strategic noise maps available (here).

We still do not believe that Meath County Council are taking their responsibility under this legislation seriously. If they fail to carry out their responsibilities we will make a complaint to the EPA, and if necessary the European Commission.

If you think that they have failed you can also complain to the EPA using this form:
http://www.epa.ie/downloads/forms/pollution/name,13427,en.html

Noise Resources

Good overview
EU-Noise Page
EC Directive
Irish Law
Dept Environment
EPA Page
Data reported to EC
Ireland's Data
Health Effects

Various Maps

Meath County Council
Dublin City pages
Scotland
England
Europe/Holland
Paris