Countryside campaigners CPRE{1} today welcomed the Government's announcement that it will be mapping England's noisiest roads, but warned that for many people the tranquillity of the countryside is left in the balance.

Paul Hamblin, CPRE's Head of Transport Policy, said:

'Protecting the tranquillity of the countryside as a refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern life is critical. In towns, too, we need to avoid people only finding tranquillity through purchasing a relaxing CD. So we welcome the intention to map noise levels from roads.{2}

'While maps help show the way ahead, we don't need to wait until a Government Strategy in 2007 to know what can make a difference.{3} A suite of Ministerial decisions can reduce the intrusion of transport on people's quality of life and protect our tranquil areas.' 

CPRE points to the fact that Ministers:

• have been promoting large scale expansion of airports across the country.  The intensity of flights, and possible new flight paths threaten the tranquillity of the countryside;
• are looking at a new tolled 'M6 Expressway' that would ruin the countryside and bring new noise to the 50-mile corridor in Cheshire and Staffordshire; and
• will be making decisions next year over how much money should go towards low noise resurfacing when approving local authority five year transport plans.{4}

CPRE has organised a 'hunt for hush' that asks people whether they can find anywhere over the summer holidays where they can find true tranquillity. This is the search for the calming sounds of nature, far away from the roar of traffic and the drone of aircraft. Details of the hunt for hush are at www.cpre.org.uk. Working with partners, we have also published a guide on how to map tranquillity.{5}

The Government has also today released new figures showing that between April and June 2005 traffic on minor urban roads rose by 1%, while traffic on rural roads increased by 4%.{6}

Paul Hamblin concluded:

'Noise invades our lives from many angles. But action can be taken to protect communities from the din. It is disturbing that the Government has dropped its own proposal for a countryside quality indicator to be a key measure of people's quality of life.{7} Analysis should be turned into action.'

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1. CPRE exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. We promote positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside to ensure change values its natural and built environment. Our Patron is Her Majesty The Queen. We have 60,000 supporters, a branch in every county, nine regional groups, over 200 local groups and a national office in London. CPRE is a powerful combination of effective local action and strong national campaigning. Our President is Sir Max Hastings.

2. The Government has announced that it will be mapping noise along major roads in over 20 major towns, cities and regions across England (Defra, Press Notice, 11 August 2005).

3. The Government has promised to develop an Ambient Noise Strategy by 2007.

4. Highway authorities across England submitted draft Local Transport Plans (LTPs) to the Department for Transport in July 2005. These look five years ahead and set out the priorities, in policy and spending, which the authority maintains for transport. This includes regarding the impacts of traffic (like noise) on communities and the environment.  Final LTPs will be submitted to Ministers in spring 2006, before final decisions are made by Ministers on the allocation of resources. 

5. The report Mapping Tranquillity: defining and assessing a valuable resource is available through CPRE Publications (020 7981 2800, priced £10). It was commissioned by CPRE North East and the Countryside Agency, and was co-funded by the North East Regional Assembly, Northumberland Strategic Partnership, Northumberland National Park Authority and Durham County Council. 

6. Source: Traffic in Great Britain — 2nd Quarter 2005 (published by Department for Transport, News Release 2005/0085) published on 11 August 2005.

7. The Government has developed 68 indicators for sustainable development. These are going to be used by Ministers to track progress towards delivering its Sustainable Development Strategy. The Strategy aims to improve the quality of life and meet the needs of this and future generations. The list of 68 indicators replaces an earlier list of indicators which had included a commitment to develop a 'Countryside Quality Indicator'. Developing such an indicator, which would include consideration of the tranquillity of the countryside, was first promised in the Rural White Paper 2000.