10.2.2 Noise Mapping
10.2.2 Noise Mapping
In 2006, the European Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) was adopted by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under Statutory Instrument No. 140/2006. This is also known as the Environmental Noise Regulations 2006.
The regulations set out to “provide for an implementation in Ireland of a common approach within the European Community intended to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise” (Article 4(1) S.I No. 140/2006).
As part of the regulations, a Noise Action Plan is required to be created and adopted. The latest Noise Action for County Kilkenny was finalised and published early 2019. The Noise Action Plan is designed with the twin aims of:
• Avoiding significant adverse health impacts from noise, and
• Preserving environmental noise quality where it is good
Under the Regulations, Kilkenny County Council is the action planning authority responsible for the creation and implementation of the Noise Action Plan for County Kilkenny. The regulations require that a Noise Mapping Action Plan must refer to places near major roads, major railways and major airports, and within any relevant agglomeration. A Noise Action Plan[1] was finalised for the period 2019 -2023, and was published in January 2020 as an implementation plan. The current plan is in force until 2023 and is the third round of Noise Action Plans.
In County Kilkenny, based on the thresholds stated in the Regulations, the main source of Environmental Noise is from major roads. The thresholds defining major roads under the Regulations is any major road with more than 3 million vehicles passages per year.
The Noise Action Plan for County Kilkenny is based on strategic noise mapping carried out for County Kilkenny and is based solely on road traffic noise. Based on the noise mapping for the county, the following areas are within the subject criteria of the Regulations:
Kilkenny County:
• The M8 and M9 Motorways within County Kilkenny.
• The N10, N24 and N25 National Primary Routes within County Kilkenny.
• The Section of the N76 National Secondary Route from the Waterford Road Roundabout on the Kilkenny Ring Road to its junction with the R692 Kilbride Junction south of Callan.
• The Section of the N77 National Secondary Route from its junction with the N78 at Hennebry’s Cross to the Hebron Road Roundabout on the N77 Kilkenny Ring Road.
• The R448 Regional Route from the County Boundary near Newrath to its junction with the R861 at the Newrath Roundabout;
• The R711 Regional Route from the County Boundary at Ferrybank to its roundabout junction with the N29 National Route;
• The R861 Regional Route from the N25 Grannagh Junction Roundabout to its junction with the R448 at the Newrath Roundabout.
Kilkenny City:
The following Sections of Regional Roads located within and in the vicinity of Kilkenny City:
• The R693 Regional Route (Freshford Road to Vicar St to Parliament St) from its junction with the L6600 local road at Thornback to its junction with St. Kieran’s Street;
• The R695 Regional Route (Dean St to Kennyswell Road) from its junction with the R693 at Irishtown to its junction with the Kennyswell Road;
• The R712 Regional Route (Castlecomer Road to Old Dublin (Carlow) Road) from its junction with the N77 Castlecomer Road Roundabout on the N77 Kilkenny Ring Road to it junction with the R702 Regional Road (Gowran);
• The R886 Regional Route from its junction with the R693 at Green Street to its junction with the R712 Castlecomer Road (Green Street and New Road);
• The R887 Regional Route (John St and Rose Inn Street) from its junction with the R712 at the old Dublin Road to its junction with the R693 at The Parade;
• The R909 Regional Route from its junction with the N76 Callan Road Roundabout on the N76 Kilkenny Ring Road to its junction with the R950 at the Old Callan Road (Callan Road);
• The R910 Regional Route (Patrick Street to Waterford Road) from its junction with the R693 at The Parade to its junction with the Bohernatounish Road (L2610);
• The R950 Regional Route (Old Callan Road) from its junction with the R909 at College Road to its junction with Walkin Street
Figure 10.2 Lden(dB) of County Kilkenny
It is proposed to develop a process within the Noise Action Plan to effectively manage environmental noise throughout the County. The programme is scheduled to be phased over 5 years culminating in the preparation of the 4th phase noise action plan to be completed in 2023.
The programme for evaluation over this 5-year second phase of development of the Noise Action Plan proposes to review the Action Plan on an annualised basis or as the need arises. Any works to be carried out, subject to funding, will be monitored and appraised, a report for round 3 will detail progress against the planned timetable, any actions commenced or undertaken and any costs and outcomes or benefits achieved.
Quiet Areas:
Several quiet areas were considered for Kilkenny. Under Article 3 (1) of the Regulations (S.I. No. 140 of 2006), a distinction is made between quiet areas in agglomerations and quiet areas in open country. With regards to the Regulations, County Kilkenny is not in an agglomeration. Therefore, quiet areas to be established in County Kilkenny will be quiet areas in open country. The Regulations define the requirements of quiet areas in open country as an area that is “undisturbed by noise from traffic, industry or recreational activities”. From a usability aspect, the preferred location of quiet areas in open country would be in public areas and parks which are under the ownership of Kilkenny County Council. This removes any restrictions on designating the area as a quiet area. The quiet areas are in the Bishops Meadow Walk, Kilkenny City and in Woodstock Estate, near Inistioge.
10.2.2.1 Noise control
Excessive noise and dust levels can have an adverse impact on the county’s environment. The Council will seek to minimise noise through the planning process by ensuring that the design of future developments incorporate measures to prevent or mitigate the transmission of noise and vibration, where appropriate.
[1] Kilkenny County Council, Noise Action Plan 2019