The Environmental Noise Directive (‘END’) (2002/49/EC) aims to put in place a European wide system for identifying sources of environmental noise, informing the public about relevant noise data and taking the necessary steps to avoid, prevent or reduce noise exposure. The END was transposed into Irish Law by the Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 (S.I. 140/2006) (the ‘Regulations’). The Regulations were revised by the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 549/2018) and amended through the European Communities (Environmental Noise) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 663/2021).
Under the Regulations, Cork City Council and Cork County Council are designated as the Noise-Mapping Bodies (NMBs), for the purpose of making and approving strategic noise maps for the Agglomeration of Cork (the ‘Agglomeration’). These local authorities are also designed as Action Planning Authorities (APAs), responsible for preparing a Noise Action Plan for the Agglomeration. This is the fourth round of noise action planning for the Agglomerations, and this Noise Action Plan (NAP) reports the findings of the strategic noise mapping prepared in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann), and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), and in respect of the calendar year 2021 for noise from road traffic, rail traffic, airports and industrial activity sites, including ports. The plans do not, however, cover noise that is caused by the exposed person himself/herself, noise from domestic activities, neighbourhood noise, noise at workplaces or noise inside means of transport or due to military activities in military areas.
This Noise Action Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Regulations and is aimed at strategic long-term management of environmental noise from transport systems, and is based on the results of the strategic noise maps which informed assessments of population exposure and harmful effects of noise.
