The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, called last week for the creation of peaceful, green havens for Londoners to escape the urban buzz of the city.
Often termed ‘the forgotten pollutant’, noise can have a detrimental effect on people’s quality of life, health and wellbeing.
The government is currently consulting on how the European Environmental Noise Directive should be implemented. This would include working with local authorities to identify important and special ‘quiet areas’ which should be protected in the same way we do for areas valued for their flora and fauna.
The Mayor wants to encourage boroughs to enhance their tranquil spaces through their existing programmes and redouble efforts to green the city.
Addressing the Tranquil Spaces conference, organised to find practical ways to identify, protect and improve ‘quiet areas’, the Mayor said: “Even in the busiest parts of London it is vital we can get away from the hustle and bustle.
“We are boosting tranquillity through additional street trees, park makeovers and the creation and protection of green spaces, particularly the new Olympic Park, where wonderful new wetlands will create a haven of tranquillity at the heart of Europe’s biggest regeneration project.”
Cllr Lee Rowley, cabinet member for customers and communities at Westminster City Council who were represented at the event, said: ‘We know our green parks and open spaces are incredibly valuable for providing a calm and tranquil respite to the city.
“Of course, we can’t just block out the traffic or buzz of the city, but research we’ve carried out shows that it’s the little things – trickling water or rustling leaves – that can make people feel peaceful and content. That’s what makes our parks and open spaces so important.”
