Proposed amendment to the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006
Consultation options
Option 1 - Current process
For the first time, the Round 4 strategic noise maps have been produced to cover the entirety of road and rail networks across Scotland (using 2021 data). These maps provide estimates of population exposure to environmental noise throughout Scotland, including the five major agglomerations: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, and Glasgow. Following each round of strategic noise mapping, the resulting population exposure statistics inform the identification of candidate Noise Management Areas. These areas are supported by the noise action plans for road and rail, and urban agglomerations, outlining the actions to be implemented.
The five-year timescale results in a limited window for implementing the noise action plans before the next strategic mapping cycle begins. The process of modelling and publishing the noise maps has taken over three years due to the adoption of a new methodology. Additionally with the number of candidate Noise Management Areas to validate this can result in the next noise mapping data exercise starting before actions within the current action plans have been fully implemented.
Option 2 - Proposed option
We are proposing to extend the five-year obligations set out in the 2006 Regulations to a ten-year cycle. These obligations relate to the production of strategic noise maps identifying noise sources and quiet areas, as well as the development of associated noise action plans. The ten-year period is considered a more appropriate balance between recognising and capturing potential local changes and accommodating the time required to develop a noise model and produce environmental noise maps, which underpin the noise action plans. The specific regulations proposed for amendment are 4(2), 7(2), 7(3), 10(2), 10(3), 11(3), 11(4), 15(3), and 17(3) of the 2006 Regulations.
Specific regulations subject to the proposed changes
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Regulation header |
Current regulation wording |
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Maps identifying-
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Regulation 4 (2) Every 5 years the Scottish Ministers– (a)shall review maps or plans prepared pursuant to paragraph (1); and (b)where they consider that such maps or plans are no longer appropriate, shall modify them as necessary. |
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Agglomerations and transport Duty to make, review and revise strategic noise maps. |
Regulation 7 (2) No later than 30th June 2012, and thereafter every 5 years, the competent authority shall make and, in accordance with regulation 21, adopt strategic noise maps showing the situation in the preceding calendar year for all– (a)agglomerations; (b)major roads; and (c)major railways. Regulation 7 (3) Every 5 years, and whenever a major development occurs affecting the existing noise situation, the competent authority shall– (a)review; and (b)if necessary, revise any strategic noise map made pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) and adopted pursuant to regulation 21. |
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Major airports Duty to make, review and revise strategic noise maps: major airports. |
Regulation 10 (2) No later than 31st March 2007, and thereafter every 5 years, the competent authority shall- (a)make a strategic noise map showing the situation in the preceding calendar year for the airport; and (b)submit that map with input data and metadata to the Scottish Ministers. (3) Every 5 years, and whenever a major development occurs affecting the existing noise situation, the competent authority shall– (a)review; and (b)if necessary, revise any strategic noise map made pursuant to paragraph (2) and adopted pursuant to regulation 21. |
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Other airports. Duty to make, review and revise strategic noise maps. |
Regulation 11 (3) Where air traffic from the airport results in air traffic noise anywhere within an agglomeration, no later than 31st March 2012 and thereafter every 5 years, the competent authority shall, in relation to that noise– (a)make a strategic noise map showing the situation in the preceding calendar year for the agglomeration; and (b)submit that map with input data and metadata to the Scottish Ministers. (4) Every 5 years, and whenever a major development occurs affecting the existing noise situation, the competent authority shall– (a)review; and (b)if necessary, revise any strategic noise map made pursuant to paragraphs (2) or (3) and adopted pursuant to regulation 21. |
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Agglomerations and transport Action Plans – Noise sources other than airports: Duty to draw up, review and revise action plans. |
Regulation 15 (3) Every 5 years, and whenever a major development occurs affecting the existing noise situation, the competent authority shall– (a)review; and (b)if necessary, revise, action plans drawn up pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) and adopted pursuant to regulation 22. |
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Airports Action Plans – Airports: Duty to draw up, review and revise action plans. |
Regulation 17 (3) Every 5 years, and whenever a major development occurs affecting the existing noise situation, the competent authority shall– (a)review; and (b)if necessary, revise, action plans drawn up pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) and adopted pursuant to regulation 22. |
These proposals do not amend the scope of the action plans (namely the agglomerations (large urban areas), major road, major railways, and major airports), or change any of the technical requirements for the noise model.
Maps identifying noise sources and quiet areas
Maps identifying noise sources and quiet areas (regulation 4(2)). We propose to amend the 2006 Regulations to require Scottish Government on a ten-year cycle to review maps identifying noise sources and quiet areas for agglomerations, major roads and major railways.
Regulation 4(2) subject to the proposed change
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Regulation header |
Current regulation wording |
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Maps identifying-
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Regulation 4 (2) Every 5 years the Scottish Ministers– (a)shall review maps or plans prepared pursuant to paragraph (1); and (b)where they consider that such maps or plans are no longer appropriate, shall modify them as necessary. |