Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

NOISE ACTION PLAN 2019-2023

Infrastructure & Operations County Hall, Prospect Hill, Galway.

March 2020

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Document Amendment Record

Project: Noise Action Planning

Document: Noise Action Plan 2019

Purpose / Revision Origin Author Approved Date Description

Roads and D01 Draft DF MNC 20/05/2018 Transportation Roads and D02 Draft DF MNC 17/01/2019 Transportation Roads and D03 Draft FH JC 19/11/19 Transportation Roads and F01 Final FH JC 27/03/20 Transportation

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Noise Action Plan 2019-2023 has been prepared by Galway County Council to address environmental noise from major roads in the county with more than three million vehicles per annum. The action planning area covers sections of the M6, M17 and M18 Motorways, N6 and N17 National Primary Roads, N59, N65, N67, N83, N84 National Secondary Roads and R336, R339, R354 R381,R446, R458 and R939 Regional Roads and adjoining lands.

The plan was prepared in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2002/49/EC (commonly referred to as the Environmental Noise Directive, or “END”).

The END Directive is transposed into Irish Law by the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018, S.I. No. 549/2018.

The aim of the Directive and the Regulations is to provide for the implementation of an EC common approach to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise.

Environmental noise is unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic and noise in agglomerations over a specified size. Types of noise not included in the Regulations are noise that is caused by the exposed person, noise from domestic activities, noise created by neighbours, noise at workplaces or noise inside means of transport or due to military activities in military areas.

Noise Mapping Bodies and Action Planning Authorities were assigned responsibility under the regulations to draw up noise maps for the third round in 2017 and prepare action plans for noise from the following noise sources: ➢ major railways with more than 30,000 train passages per annum (not applicable to Galway County). ➢ major airports with more than 50,000 flights per annum (not applicable to Galway County). ➢ major roads with more than 3 million vehicles per annum. ➢ agglomerations of greater than 100,000 inhabitants (not applicable to Galway County).

The Transport Infrastructure of Ireland (TII), as the noise mapping body for major national roads, has prepared noise maps for the sections of the National Routes (M and N routes) in County Galway that have been confirmed by verified vehicle count data to be a major road for the purposes of the Regulations. The Noise Maps have been prepared based on the national road classification at the time

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Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023 the noise mapping was undertaken and hence do not include the reclassification of the National Road network in Galway following the opening of the M17/M18 Gort to Tuam Motorway. The TII has also prepared the noise maps on behalf of Galway County Council for the sections of Regional Routes (R routes) with more than 3 million vehicles per annum. It is estimated from noise mapping and geodirectory data that a population of approximately 9,909, may be located in environmental noise bands from 55 to >75dB Lden and a population of approximately 5,817, located in environmental noise bands 50 to >70dB Lnight within the Galway County action planning area.

The purpose of this Action Plan is to endeavour to manage the existing noise environment and protect the future noise environment within the action planning area. Management of the existing noise environment may be achieved by prioritising areas for which further assessment and possible noise mitigation may be required. Protection of the future noise environment may be achieved by acoustical planning, which further incorporates noise into the planning process via measures such as land-use planning, development planning, sound insulation measures, traffic planning and control of environmental noise sources.

ACTION PLAN POLICY STATEMENT Galway County Council will seek to address environmental noise from major roads in the county, will endeavour to maintain satisfactory noise environments where they exist and will have regard to acoustical planning in the planning process (within the confines of the 2000 Planning and Development Act) to endeavour to ensure that future developments include provisions to protect the population from the effects of environmental noise in the interests of residential amenity and public health.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Table of Contents 1. BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1. Purpose and Scope of the Environmental Noise Directive ...... 1 1.2. Purpose and Scope of the Environmental Noise Regulations ...... 1 1.3. Roles and Responsibilities of Designated Bodies ...... 3 1.3.1. Noise Mapping Bodies: ...... 3 1.3.2. Action Planning Authorities ...... 3 1.4. Key Phases ...... 4 1.4.1. Identification of Areas to be Mapped ...... 4 1.4.2. Strategic Noise Maps ...... 5 1.4.3. Development of Noise Action Plans ...... 6 1.4.4. Implementation of the Action Plan ...... 6 2. EXISTING NOISE MANAGEMENT LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE ...... 7 2.1. National Legislation and Guidance ...... 7 2.2. Current Community Noise Management Situation ...... 8 2.2.1. Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992...... 8 2.2.2. Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) and Waste Licensing ...... 8 2.2.3. Waste Permitting ...... 9 2.2.4. Wind Energy Planning Guidelines ...... 9 2.2.5. Quarries and Ancillary Activities ...... 9 2.2.6. Building Regulations ...... 10 2.2.7. Planning ...... 10 2.3. Local Planning Policy ...... 12 2.3.1. County Galway Development Plan 2015-2021 ...... 12 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION PLANNING AREA ...... 12 3.1. County Galway ...... 12 3.2. Population Data: ...... 13 3.3. Transport Infrastructure in County Galway ...... 13 3.3.1. Road Network – (Based on 2019 Data)...... 13 3.3.2. Rail Network ...... 14 3.3.3. Air Transport ...... 14 3.3.4. Bus Transport ...... 14 3.4. Extent of Action Planning Area ...... 15 3.5. Responsible Authority for Action Planning ...... 16 3.6. Name and Contact Details ...... 16 3.7. Description of Other Bodies of Relevance ...... 16 4. SUMMARY OF NOISE MAPPING RESULTS ...... 17

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

4.1. Overview of the Preparation of the Noise Map ...... 17 4.1.1. Responsible Authorities ...... 17 4.1.2. Noise Mapping Process ...... 18 4.1.3. Review of Second Round (2012) Noise Maps ...... 18 4.1.4. Calculation Methodology ...... 19 4.1.5. Data Sources ...... 20 4.1.6. Population Exposure Estimates ...... 22 4.2. Presentation of Results ...... 23 4.2.1. Noise Contour Maps ...... 23 4.2.2. Summary Exposure Statistics ...... 24 4.3. Limitations of the Noise Mapping Process ...... 26 4.3.1. Limitations of the Computer Modelling Method ...... 26 5. IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS TO BE SUBJECTED TO NOISE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ...... 26 5.1. Assessing and Prioritising Actions ...... 26 5.2. Preservation of Noise Levels in Quiet Areas and Noise Sensitive Locations ...... 29 6. MITIGATION AND PROTECTION MEASURES ...... 30 6.1. The Source of Road Noise ...... 30 6.2. Measures To Reduce Noise From Major Roads ...... 32 6.2.1. Existing Developments ...... 32 6.2.2. Future Developments ...... 33 6.3. Proposed Measures for County Galway Action Planning Area ...... 33 6.3.1 Mitigation Measures: ...... 33 6.3.2. Protection Measures for Future Improvement: ...... 35 6.3.3. Description of Existing Noise Reduction Measures...... 36 6.3.4. Monitoring Measures: ...... 36 6.3.5. Consultative Measures ...... 36 7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ...... 37 8. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME ...... 38 8.1. Roles and Responsibilities ...... 38 8.2. Targets and Objectives: ...... 39 8.3. Programme of Works ...... 39 8.4. Evaluation, Review and Corrective Action Programmes ...... 40 8.4.1. Ongoing Review ...... 40 9. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS ...... 40 9.1. Budgetary Provisions ...... 40 9.2. Cost Benefit Analysis ...... 40 10. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ...... 41 vi

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Appendix A: Glossary of acoustic and technical terms ...... 44 Appendix B: Bibliography and References ...... 48 Appendix C: Strategic Noise Maps ...... 52 Appendix D: Public Consultation advertisement and submission ...... 53 Appendix E: EU Noise Emission Limits for New Road Vehicles ...... 62

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Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

1. BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION 1.1. Purpose and Scope of the Environmental Noise Directive EU Directive 2002/49/EC (known as the Environmental Noise Directive, or “END”) deals with the assessment and management of environmental noise.

The aim of the directive is to: “Define a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise.”

The Directive requires that Member States: 1. Undertake strategic noise mapping to determine exposure to environmental noise. 2. Ensure information on environmental noise and its effects is made available to the public. 3. Adopt action plans, based upon the noise mapping results with a view to preventing and reducing environmental noise where necessary and particularly where exposure levels can induce harmful effects on human health, and to preserving environmental noise quality where it is good.

The Directive defines noise mapping, strategic noise maps and action plans as:

Noise Mapping – shall mean the presentation of data on an existing or predicted noise situation in terms of a noise indicator, indicating breaches of any relevant limit value in force, the number of people affected in a certain area or the number of dwellings exposed to certain values of a noise indicator in a certain area. Strategic Noise Map – shall mean a map designed for the global assessment of noise exposure in a given area due to different noise sources or for overall predictions for such an area. Action Plans – shall mean plans designed to manage noise issues and effects, including noise reduction if necessary.

1.2. Purpose and Scope of the Environmental Noise Regulations

The END Directive is transposed into Irish Law by the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018, S.I. No. 549/2018.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

The regulations provide for the implementation 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.

For the purposes of the Directive and Regulations, environmental noise is unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic and noise in agglomerations over a specified size. Types of noise not included in the regulations are noise that is caused by the exposed person, noise from domestic activities, noise created by neighbours, noise at workplaces or noise inside means of transport or due to military activities in military areas.

The regulations specify the process to be followed in addressing environmental noise from transport sources.

Round One 2007-09. Noise mapping bodies made strategic noise maps before the 30th June 2007 for the following: ➢ Major roads with >6 million vehicles per annum. ➢ Major railways with >60,000 trains per annum. ➢ Major airports with >50,000 movements per annum. ➢ Agglomerations with >250,000 inhabitants.

Action Planning Authorities were required to prepare draft noise action plans by the 18th July 2008, based on the results of the mapping process. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the national authority for the purposes of the regulations. The EPA required that final plans were to be submitted by the 31st October 2008. The final deadline for reporting of Action Plans to the European Commission was the 18th January 2009.

The fundamental objective of the action plans is the prevention and reduction of environmental noise.

Round Two and Three. Round two, 2012-14, and Round Three, 2017-19 provides for noise mapping bodies to make strategic noise maps for the following: ➢ Major roads (defined in the regulations as roads with > 3 million vehicles per annum). ➢ Major railways (defined as > 30,000 trains per annum).

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

➢ Major airports with >50,000 movements per annum. ➢ Agglomerations with > 100,000 inhabitants. The final Round Three County Galway Noise Action Plan 2019 is required to be in place in 2019.

1.3. Roles and responsibilities of Designated Bodies The Environmental Noise Regulations designate noise mapping bodies and action planning authorities for the making of strategic noise maps and noise action plans as follows:

1.3.1. Noise Mapping Bodies:

➢ For major national roads, the Transport Infrastructure of Ireland (TII) is the noise mapping authority, on behalf of the action planning authority concerned. ➢ For major non-national roads, each local road authority is the noise mapping authority concerned. ➢ For major airports, the relevant airport authority is the noise mapping body, on behalf of the action planning authority concerned. ➢ For major railways, Iarnrod Éireann or the Railway Procurement Authority, as appropriate, is the noise mapping body on behalf of the action planning authority concerned. ➢ Each local authority is the action planning authority for major roads in the local authority. ➢ For the agglomeration of Dublin, Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council. ➢ For the agglomeration of Cork, Cork City and County Councils.

1.3.2. Action Planning Authorities

The Action Planning Authorities are the Local Authorities within whose functional areas the major road/railway/airport/agglomerations are located.

Galway County Council are the action planning authority for major national and major non-national roads in County Galway.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the national authority for the purposes of the regulations.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

1.4. Key Phases 1.4.1. Identification of Areas to be Mapped In the County of Galway, strategic noise maps and associated action plans must be prepared for major roads only. The requirements for major railways, major airports or agglomerations do not apply.

The definition of a major road for the third noise mapping/action planning round of the Regulations is a road with more than 3 million vehicles per annum. The roads identified as major roads in the County of Galway are:

• M6 from the N6 at Glennascaul to the Roscommon County Boundary. • M17 from Tuam to the intersection with the M6 at Rathmorrissy • M18 motorway from the M6 Rathmorrissy intersection to the Clare County Boundary. • N6 from the Galway City Boundary to the M6 motorway at Glennascaul. • N17 from the M17 at Tuam to the Mayo County Boundary. • N59 from its junction with the Galway City Boundary to Oughterard. • N65 from M6 junction 16 to Loughrea • N67 from Galway City Boundary to the Clare County Boundary • N83 from Galway City Boundary to Tuam • N84 from the Galway City Boundary to Headford. • R336 from the Galway City Boundary to An Spidéal. • R339 from the Galway City Boundary to its junction with the R381 at Crosbhóthar an Chairn Mhóir. • R354 from the N83 to Lackaghbeg • R381 from N83 to Crosbhóthar an Chairn Mhóir (N67/R339) • R446 from its junction with the N67 at Oranbeg to its junction with the R348.

• R458 from N67 to Gort

• R939 from the N83 to the N17

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

1.4.2. Strategic Noise Maps 1.4.2.1. Purpose The purpose of the strategic noise maps is to identify the areas affected by different levels of environmental noise from major roads, railways, airports and agglomerations as described under 1.2 above. The maps are a visual representation of estimated noise contour bands within the action plan area from 55dB Lden to greater than 75dB Lden, in 5dB bands, and from 50dB Lnight to greater than 70dB Lnight, in 5dB bands. The maps have been linked to population data to estimate the number of people located in each environmental noise band. This information is then used to produce noise action plans, which will endeavour to manage existing environmental noise from the major sources and protect the future noise environment.

1.4.2.2. Preparation In January 2017, a centralised approach to the noise mapping of major roads outside agglomerations was adopted. Through this centralised approach, one central body, the TII, developed strategic noise maps for all major roads outside agglomerations, encompassing both national and non-national roads. All Local Authorities with major roads within their jurisdiction participated in this centralised approach.

The TII ran computerised noise modelling programmes for the relevant roads and generated GIS grids of noise levels as an output of the noise modelling process.

GIS polygon contour layers were generated from these grids for the following Lden and Lnight decibel bands:

Lden Lnight 55-59 45-49 60-64 50-54 65-69 55-59 70-74 60-64 ≥75 65-69 ≥70

See Appendix 1 Glossary of acoustic and technical terms. The resultant noise maps are a visual representation of the estimated noise level bands within each action plan area.

An overview of the preparation of the noise maps is given in Section 5.2 of this plan.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

1.4.3. Development of Noise Action Plans

1.4.3.1. Purpose The purpose of the action plans is to manage environmental noise from the major sources, to improve noise levels where necessary on a prioritised basis, to preserve satisfactory noise environments where they exist and to protect the future noise environment. 1.4.3.2. Scope The areas covered by the noise action plans are those areas identified by noise mapping as being affected by environmental noise from the major noise sources. The action plans refer to places near the major noise sources i.e. major roads, major railways and major airports and within any relevant agglomeration.

The noise from these sources is regarded as affecting an Action Plan Area if it causes either an Lden value of 55dB(A) or greater or an Lnight value of 45dB(A) or greater anywhere within an area.

1.4.3.3. Public Participation The Environmental Noise Directive and the Noise Regulations provide for strategic noise maps and action plans to be made available to the general public. They also provide for public consultation on proposed action plans and for the results of public consultation to be considered in finalising action plans.

Over and above the statutory requirement to seek input from the public and other relevant stakeholders in preparation of the final Noise Action Plan, Galway County Council Corporate Plan places a high level of importance on customer care and quality service delivery. The Quality Customer Service Strategy presents an overall strategy for enhanced customer service.

1.4.4. Implementation of the Action Plan Mitigation and protection measures detailed in Section 6 of this Action Plan will be implemented if required, on a prioritised, phased basis over the five-year life of the Plan subject to funding. Monitoring measures may be undertaken where noise-mapping data must be verified by measurement prior to the implementation of any corrective action. Relevant noise prevention measures which fall into the planning arena will be proposed for inclusion in the next County Development Plan2021-2027

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

2. EXISTING NOISE MANAGEMENT LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE 2.1. National Legislation and Guidance The European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018, S.I. No. 549/2018 are concerned with community or environmental noise, which is classified in the draft International Institute of Noise Control Engineering (I-INCE) publication “A Global Approach to Noise Control Policy” as follows:

Community/Environmental Noise Unwanted sound in a non-occupational setting, indoors or outdoors, caused by sources over which an individual has little or no control, including sounds produced by neighbours.

Many different noise sources contribute to community/environmental noise, including: ➢ Roads, railways, airports, industry or recreational activities adjacent to residential properties or noise sensitive premises such as schools or hospitals, or recreational spaces. ➢ Noisy neighbours, barking dogs. ➢ Gardening machinery, construction activities, ice cream vans, street cleaning, delivery vehicles. ➢ Air-conditioning equipment. ➢ Public house, nightclubs, restaurants or other recreational activities. ➢ Industrial operations, workshops and factories.

Location of new residential properties or noise sensitive premises such as schools or hospitals, adjacent to existing roads, railways, airports, industry or recreational activities can result in significant noise management issues as can the development of mixed residential/commercial use buildings, and multi- part residential buildings.

Noise sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, churches, funeral homes, have particular requirements for low level noise environments in order to be able to function effectively. Noise levels in these noise sensitive locations must be managed to address external noise break-in, as well as room-to- room transmission. A high standard of insulation can be applied to improve noise attenuation in these buildings, but this measure is rendered relatively ineffective when windows are opened. It also does not protect the external environment around the noise sensitive location from community/environmental noise.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

2.2. Current Community Noise Management Situation The Regulations address certain aspects of the wider definition of community noise, and there are currently a number of other measures in place which address other aspects of community or neighbourhood noise. The following sections (2.2.1 to 2.2.7) provide a brief overview of these other measures:

2.2.1. Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 The existing statutory provisions have primarily come about on foot of the Environmental Protection Agency Act of 1992 (and 2003 as amended). Sections 106 to 108 of the Act are of direct relevance, and may be summarised as follows:

➢ 106 gives the relevant Minister certain powers to regulate noise that may give rise to a nuisance or be harmful to health or property; ➢ 107 gives powers to local authorities and the EPA to serve notice to take steps to control noise; ➢ 108 sets out a process whereby noise issues may be taken to the District Court, which may make an order requiring that the person or body responsible for the noise takes steps to eliminate or ameliorate the noise in question. S108 enables private individuals to take a case to the courts at very low financial cost. This procedure is recommended for use by the public, particularly where the problem is caused by noisy neighbours in privately owned or rented accommodation.

2.2.2. Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) and Waste Licensing Noise conditions are routinely imposed as part of an IPPC licence. The Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) published in January 2016, a guidance document entitled ‘Guidance Note for Noise: Licence Applications, Surveys and Assessments in Relation to Scheduled Activities (NG4)’. The objective of this guidance is to provide practical information, advice and guidance on noise from activities licensable by the EPA under the Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) and waste licensing systems. It provides a variety of practical techniques and measures to control noise, and includes suggested daytime, evening and night time limits, of 55 dB(A) LarT, 50 dB(A) LarT and 45 dB(A) LAeqT, with said limits to be applied to ‘sensitive locations’. Whilst these limits have a very specific application, they have appeared in many different contexts and often form the basis for conditions in planning permissions. Similar noise conditions are also imposed on waste-licensed facilities.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

2.2.3. Waste Permitting Galway County Council imposes noise conditions on waste permitted facilities where noise is considered to be a potential issue. These conditions are similar to the EPA waste licence conditions referred to above.

2.2.4. Wind Energy Planning Guidelines With specific regard to wind energy developments, the Planning Guidelines for Wind Energy Development 2006 suggests a “lower fixed limit of 45dB(A) or a maximum increase of 5dB(A) above background noise at nearby noise sensitive locations”. The latter requirement may be relaxed in areas with low background levels. A fixed limit of 43dB(A) at night-time is deemed appropriate, as there is no requirement to protect external amenity. These guidelines are currently under review and new guidance is expected during the life of this action plan.

Galway County Councils wind energy strategy is contained in Appendix IV of the Galway County Development Plan 2015 – 2021.

2.2.5. Quarries and Ancillary Activities Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended introduced a new system of one-off registration for all quarries. Only those quarries for which planning permission was obtained in the 5-year period before S261 became operational were excluded. The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government published guidelines for Planning Authorities for quarries and ancillary activities in April 2004, including recommended noise conditions for inclusion as part of registration or where a full planning permission was required. Depending on the complexity of the quarrying operation, noise conditions were included as part of the registration process and as part of the planning process for quarry extension applications. For larger quarry operations, environmental noise conditions along the following lines have been imposed by the planning authority: “During the operational phase of the development the noise level at any occupied house within the vicinity of the quarry shall not exceed a LAeq,1 hr of 55dB(A) between 07.00 and 19.00 and a LAeq,15 min of 45 dB (A) at all other times. Noise monitoring shall be undertaken by the developer. The Planning Authority shall have access to the monitoring records at all reasonable times”.

Noise and vibration conditions have also been imposed for quarries in which blasting is carried out. These conditions generally state: “Ground vibration arising from any blast carried out on site shall not exceed a peak particle velocity of 12 mm/second in any of three mutually orthogonal planes at the threshold of any house in the vicinity of the site. The air overpressure arising from the blasts shall not exceed 125 dB(Lin)max peak with a 95% confidence limit when measured outside the nearest house to the blast”. 9

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

2.2.6. Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document E, 2014, of the Building Regulations includes objective criteria for sound insulation between dwellings including mandatory pre-completion testing.

Technical guidance document Part E (2014) of the Building Regulations 1997 (S.I. no. 497 of 1997) relates to the mitigation of sound transfer between dwellings and rooms within a building. The regulations simply state that walls and floors must have “reasonable resistance” to airborne and impact sound. No consideration is given to the nature or location of the building or potential noise sources. The guidance document contains details of design goals and mandatory pre-completion testing required in order to demonstrate compliance.

2.2.7. Planning The finalised ‘National Planning Framework 2040’ was published in 2018 and is to be used as the guideline for current planning policy. Specific reference to noise is made under Objective 65:

“Promote the pro-active management of noise where it is likely to have significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life and support the aims of the Environmental Noise Regulations through national planning guidance and Noise Action Plans.”

The National Planning Framework will support:

• Noise management and action planning measures through strategic noise mapping, noise action plans and suitable planning conditions;

• Good acoustic design in new developments: in particular. residential development, through a variety of measures;

• The further enjoyment of natural resources through the preservation of low sound levels or a reduction of undesirably high sound levels.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Extra value is placed on areas with low sound levels, coined Quiet Areas, because they are deemed to be of environmental quality and to have a positive impact on quality of life.

Guidelines have also been published regarding spatial planning and national roads, wind energy developments and quarries

Galway County Council, Planning Department will set conditions relating to noise issues as part of a planning permission where the planning authority consider that excessive noise may result from the development.

The Transport Infrastructure of Ireland has published the document “Good practise guidelines for the treatment of Noise during the planning of national road schemes, March 2014”, which sets out the procedure to be followed in respect of the planning and design of national road schemes.

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG) has published the following documents relating to sustainable development in the urban environment: ➢ Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments (Guidelines for Planning Authorities), September 2007; ➢ Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas (Cities, Towns, Villages) May 2009; and ➢ Urban Design Manual: A best practice guide (A companion document to the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas), May 2009. ➢ The document dealing with Design Standards for New Apartments calls for “attention at the design and construction stages to prevent undue noise transmission between units”. There is no mention of appropriate design goals or the methodology to be employed, other than reference to Part E of the Building Regulations (see below).

The guidelines for Sustainable Residential Development highlight the need to “Deliver a quality of life which residents and visitors are entitled to expect, in terms of amenity, safety and convenience”. They go on to state: “Privacy is an important element of residential amenity”. Whilst they are not mentioned specifically, environmental noise and noise transfer between dwellings are both key considerations in respect of amenity and privacy.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

2.3. Local Planning Policy 2.3.1. County Galway Development Plan 2015-2021 The County Galway Development Plan 2015-2021 sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the administrative area of Galway County Council in accordance with the Planning and Development Acts, 2000-2006.

2.3.1.1. GCDP 2015-2021 – Objective TI 12 - Noise Chapter 5 of the Galway County Development Plan 2015 – 2021 relates to Roads and Transportation. Objective TI 12 relates to noise and is as follows: Require all new proposed development, which is considered to be noise sensitive within 300m of existing, new or planned national roads, or roadways with traffic volumes greater than 8,200 AADT, to include a noise assessment and mitigation measures if necessary, with their planning application documentation. The cost of mitigation measures shall be borne by the developer. Mitigation measures in order to protect the noise environment of existing residential development will be facilitated or enforced as necessary.

2.3.1.2 GCDP 2015-2021 – Priority Transportation Infrastructure Table 5.1 and 5.2 lists the priority transportation infrastructure projects for the duration of the county development plan and includes for all modes of transportation. In relation to road projects, this will involve the construction of roads on new alignments and will remove large volumes of traffic from the sections of the N6 and N17 national primary roads, N59, N67 and N84 national secondary roads and R336, R339 and R446 regional road identified as major roads in County Galway for the purpose of implementation of round three of the Directive and the Regulations.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION PLANNING AREA 3.1. County Galway County Galway is the second largest county in Ireland and lies in the centre of the western seaboard of Ireland. It covers an area of 6,148 square kilometres with 689 kilometres of coastline and is divided by Lough Corrib, Ireland’s second largest lake. The county contains a range of landforms and land uses, from the mountains and blanket bogs of Connemara to the prime agricultural soils of east Galway, which overlay limestone bedrock. Agriculture is the principal land use. The county is predominantly rural with

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

22.2% living in towns2 (Census 2016). Galway City is Centrally located within the geographic area of the county.

3.2. Population Data: The Local Government Act 2014 abolished Town councils and created municipal districts. As a result, Census 2016 was amended to reflect this change and population data per Town Council is no longer available. The census gives a population of 179,390 for the County and 78,668 for Galway City2.

Table 1: Census Data for Galway County (excluding Galway City) Year Total Percentage change in Percentage Percentage Population population since Population in Population in previous census Towns Rural Areas 2002 143,245 +8.8% (1996-2002) 15.4% 84.6% 2006 159,256 +11.2% (2002-2006) 17.2% 82.8% 2011 175,127 +10.0% (2006-2011) 22.6% 77.4% 2016 179,390 +2.4 (2011-2016) 22.2% 77.8%

3.3. Transport Infrastructure in County Galway 3.3.1. Road Network – (Based on 2019 Data). There are 6,790 kilometres of public roads within the charge of Galway County Council. These consists of 116 kilometres of motorways, 21 kilometres of national primary roads, 292 kilometres of national secondary roads, 900 kilometres of regional roads and 5,578 kilometres of local roads. There are three motorways (M6, M17 and M18), two national primary routes (N6 and N17) and seven national secondary routes (N59, N60, N63, N65, N67, N83 and N84) in the county.

The majority of the road length is made up of regional and local roads which reflects the predominantly rural nature of the county. Traffic count data from the TII indicated that traffic flows along the M6 and M18 motorways, N6, N17 and N18 national primary routes and sections of the N59 and N84 national secondary routes (listed in 1.4.1 above) were above the 3 million vehicles per annum threshold for noise mapping/action planning specified for the third round of implementation of the Regulations. Galway County Council traffic counts demonstrated that the sections of the R336, R339 and R446 regional routes (listed in 1.4.1 above) were also above the threshold.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

3.3.2. Rail Network The following services are currently in operation by Iarnrod Éireann from Ceannt Station in Galway: • Galway – Dublin Heuston route serving stations at Oranmore, Athenry, Attymon, Woodlawn and Ballinasloe. • Galway – Athenry – Limerick route which opened in 2010 serving Craughwell, Ardrahan and Gort.

The number of trains per annum on the rail network in the county is considerably less than the 30,000 trains per annum threshold for noise mapping/action planning specified for the third round of implementation of the Regulations.

3.3.3. Air Transport A major airport is defined in the legislation as a civil airport that has more than 50,000 movements per year (a movement being a take-off or a landing), excluding those purely for training purposes on light aircraft.

Galway Airport is located approximately 6 kilometres east of Galway City in Carnmore. Aer Arann was the airport’s last remaining operator and ceased commercial operations at the airport on 31st October 2011. Therefore, there are no scheduled services currently available from the facility.

Regular flights to each of the Aran Islands are provided from Aerfort na Minna, Indreabhán which is located approximately 27 kilometers west of Galway City.

Future noise sensitive development proposals within the vicinity of airports shall be required, where appropriate, to include noise and/or vibration attenuation measures in any planning application.

3.3.4. Bus Transport Bus Éireann currently operate eight City bus services throughout Galway City, a number of Local/Rural/Commuter services throughout the county and Expressway/Intercity bus services throughout the country from Galway City.

Many other private bus operators provide links throughout County Galway and nationwide.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

3.4. Extent of Action Planning Area The County Galway action planning area is defined from the legislation as the area affected by noise from a major road carrying greater than 3 million vehicles per annum.

The roads identified as major roads in the County of Galway from TII and Galway County Council traffic counts are:

• M6 from the N6 at Glennascaul to the Roscommon County Boundary. • M17 from Tuam to the intersection with the M6 at Rathmorrissy • M18 from the M6 at Rathmorrissy intersection to the Clare County Boundary. • N6 from the Galway City Boundary to the M6 motorway at Glennascaul. • N17 from the M17 at Tuam to the Mayo County Boundary. • N59 from its junction with the Galway City Boundary to Oughterard. • N65 from the M6 Junction 16 to Loughrea • N67 from the Galway City Boundary to the Clare County Boundary • N83 from the Galway City Boundary to Tuam • N84 from the Galway City Boundary to Headford. • R336 from the Galway City Boundary to An Spidéal. • R339 from the Galway City Boundary to its junction with the R381 at Crosbhóthar an Chairn Mhóir. • R354 from the N83 to Lackaghbeg • R381 from the N83 to Crosbhóthar an Chairn Mhóir (R339/N67) • R446 from its junction with the N67 at Oranbeg to its junction with the R348.

• R458 from the N67 to Gort

• R939 from the N83 to the N17

The exact action planning area includes lands on both sides of the above road sections. The boundary of the lands is not defined by distance from the major road noise source but rather it is the land area defined by computer modelling to be affected by noise levels of greater than 45dB(A) Lnight and/or 55dB(A) Lden.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

3.5 Responsible Authority for action planning 3.5.1 Name and Contact Details Galway County Council, Infrastructure and Operations Unit, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway.

Telephone: (091) 509000 Fax: (091) 509059 E-Mail: [email protected]

3.5.2 Description of Other Bodies of Relevance The EPA is an independent public body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. The EPA is the national authority for the purposes of the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018, S.I. No. 549/2018.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) was established through a merger of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency under the Roads Act 2015. The TII's primary function is to provide an integrated approach to the future development and operation of the national roads network and light rail infrastructure throughout Ireland.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s role is to ensure the provision, development and regulation of competitive, safe and secure integrated sustainable transport services and transport infrastructure for the road, rail, air and maritime transport modes in Ireland.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

4 SUMMARY OF NOISE MAPPING RESULTS

4.1 Overview of the Preparation of the Noise Map This section outlines the process involved in the development of the noise map, including the data sources, calculation methodology and authorities responsible.

4.1.1 Responsible Authorities The Environmental Noise Regulations require the TII to develop noise maps for every major road classified as a national road while the responsibility of mapping non-national roads rests with the relevant Local Authority within whose functional area the road lies.

In 2017, a centralised approach to the noise mapping of major roads outside agglomerations was adopted. Through this centralised approach, one central body, the TII, developed strategic noise maps for all major roads outside agglomerations, encompassing both national and non-national roads. Non-national roads were mapped by the TII on the behalf of the relevant Local Authority provided that authority participated in the centralised approach and provided ‘model-ready’ data to the central body for calculations.

All Local Authorities with major roads within their jurisdiction participated in this centralised approach.

Complete Noise Local Authority TII include LA data Map provides Model in the noise map Ready data to TII for that County. National & Non- National Roads

CASE 1: Non-national roads are deemed to be a major road when carrying in excess of 3 million vehicles per year

Local Authority Complete Noise TII develop noise reports that no Map maps accounting non-national road only for major Only National has over 3 million national roads in Roads were vehicles in that that County assessed to be County major roads

CASE 2: No non-national road deemed to be a major road.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

4.1.2 Noise Mapping Process Figure 1 displays the overview of the noise mapping process as presented in the EPA’s Guidance Note for Strategic Noise mapping (version 2). There are three main phases to the process:

1) Preparation of datasets in the GIS Environment; 2) Noise calculations; and 3) Post Processing and Analysis.

Phase 1 was conducted separately for national and non-national roads while Phase 2 and Phase 3 merged datasets from national and non-national roads to form one complete model.

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Figure 5.1: Overview of the noise mapping process

Population exposure assessments were then performed on a County by County basis.

4.1.3 Review of Second Round (2012) Noise Maps The EPA Guidance Note for Strategic Noise Mapping notes:

The Regulations introduce a continuing obligation on noise mapping bodies to review and, where necessary, revise each strategic noise map every 5 years, or sooner, as requested by the EPA, or when a material change in environmental noise in the area concerned triggers a revision of the relevant noise

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

action plan. The Epa “Guidance Note for Noise Action Planning”, July 2009 suggests that a noise action plan should be revised due to a material change if “it is known, or thought likely that greater than 10% of the exposed population within the area of an action plan have experienced a change in the prevailing noise situation of greater than 3dB Lden or Lnight”.

4.1.4 Calculation Methodology The second schedule of the Regulations sets out the recommended interim computation methods which may be used for the assessment of noise. The methods are referred to as interim methods as they are to be used until such time as a common method of noise assessment is adopted across Europe. The recommended interim methods of assessment set out in the second schedule of the Regulations contain the four EC Recommended Interim Methods set out in Annex II of the Directive. The Directive also provides for Member States to use either the EC Recommended Interim Methods or methods based upon those laid down in their own legislation. As it is common practise for environmental impact assessments to be undertaken in Ireland for roads and railways using the UK national calculation methods, the second schedule of the Regulations also sets out the UK methods CRTN and CRN.

The UK national computation method ‘Calculation of Road Traffic Noise’ (CRTN) adapted for use under the Regulations is described within the following documents: • Department of Transport publication, ‘Calculation of Road Traffic Noise’, HMSO, 1988 • Converting the UK Traffic Noise Index L10,18h to EU Noise Indices for Noise Mapping, TRL Project report PR/SE/451/02, 2002; and • Defra, Method for Converting the UK Road Traffic Noise Index LA10,18h to the EU Noise Indices for Road Noise Mapping, st/05/91/AGG04442, 24th January 2006.

In their Guidance Note for Strategic Noise Mapping the EPA recommended that the UK CRTN methodology be used for the assessment of road traffic noise levels for the second round of strategic noise mapping. It notes that the method should be used with particular reference to the following: • The NANR 93 project report; • DMRB Volume 11 Section 3 Part 7 HD 213/11 Annex 4, • Additional advice to CRTN procedures;

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

• TRL Project report PR/SE/451/02, Converting the UK Traffic Noise Index L10,18h to EU Noise Indices for Noise Mapping, 2002; using traffic count information, particularly for the night period, wherever practicable.

Thus CRTN, taking cognisance of the supplemental reports identified above, was used for all noise mapping calculations.

4.1.5 Data Sources In order to develop strategic noise maps the following data sources were utilised.

TII Traffic Model The TII maintains a National Transport Model to support transport investment decisions and facilitate good forecasts of traffic volumes on the road network for different future years, and economic conditions. The National Transport Model provides a comprehensive representation of base demand on the transport network, in addition to a series of future year transport forecasts. The Traffic Model was used to determine traffic quantities and composition. Aerial LiDAR In 2009, the TII published a notice for tender for an aerial LiDAR survey of approximately 3,019km of the Irish national road network. The survey corridor was 1,200m in width. The survey was completed in early 2011 and outputs included 1 metre contours for the entire survey area, building height information for buildings within the survey corridor and a digital terrain model (Figure 5.2).

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Figure 5.2: Sample Point Cloud from Aerial LiDAR Survey

GeoDirectory The GeoDirectory data products are developed by OSi and An Post to provide a single point location object for each building in Ireland. The GeoDirectory dataset provides the definitive address database for the country and is an essential component in calculating the population exposed to the various noise bands, information that is required to be submitted to the EU as part of this work.

Corine Database The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) CORINE Land Cover 2012 dataset is a European-wide vector land parcel product derived from satellite imagery R2V processing. The CORINE dataset was developed in the framework of the CORINE programme to establish a computerised inventory on land cover. The dataset was used for making environmental policy as well as for others such as regional development and agriculture policies. For noise calculation, the dataset can be used to provide information on the land cover distribution.

Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) PRIME2 Buildings OSI Ordnance Survey Ireland PRIME2 is the newly developed spatial data storage model first delivered in 2014. This authoritative spatial reference framework ensures consistent and unique referencing of topological state information, both in terms of location and in terms of ID tag referencing. The database is constantly updated and each object timestamped, which enables datasets to be delivered

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

representative of a certain point in time. Following discussions with CSO it is recommended to use PRIME2 datasets from July 2016. Buildings are represented in two themes, as a point at the centre of the building footprint, and as polygon objects describing the outline of the building.

Within the areas of noise mapping it is necessary to have building polygon objects in order to successfully undertake the noise calculations. Detached, semi-detached and terrace properties should have each unit described as a separate polygon.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) The CSO publish statistical information on population based upon Census returns. The most recent Census was held on 24th April 2016, and this information is now publicly available. The information available on population is issued according to various political boundaries, namely Province or County, Province County or City, Regional Authority, Municipal District, Constituency or Electoral Division.

Roads Database The TII’s Roads Database is a GIS repository that contains much of the data required to successfully undertake this noise modelling project. The Roads Database contains information on carriageway types, road widths, noise barriers, surface types, texture depths and speed limits. These datasets where relevant were used in developing noise models along with any supplementary data available.

As-Built Drawings When new roads or road upgrades are completed the Contractor is required to submit as-built documentation including as-built drawings to the TII. These drawings indicate the position, type and height of noise barriers along the road scheme.

4.1.6 Population Exposure Estimates Annex VI of the END requires, the estimated number of people living in dwellings exposed to various noise levels on the most exposed façade. In order to derive these results the following datasets were used:

• population data from the CSO

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

• address data from the geo-directory • façade points output by the noise model (describing the noise level at the facade of every building), • building polygons, used by the noise model

The population data used was from Census 2016. The total population for Galway County is 179,390 people. The address data used was Geo-Directory from quarter 1 2016. Galway County has a total housing stock of 78,207 dwellings of which vacant dwellings (excluding holiday homes) numbered 9,646. Façade points were the outputs of noise modelling. For the noise mapping 2017 project a noise model was created with a 2km buffer on each county. By analysing all these datasets together, it was possible to estimate the average number of people for each residence in the test area and assign a noise level to that building. These estimates were collated to derive an overall exposure level for the County.

Full details of this process are presented in Chapter 10 of the EPA’s Guidance Note for Strategic Noise Mapping.

4.2 Presentation of Results 4.2.1 Noise Contour Maps The strategic noise maps for the M6, M18, N6, N17, N59, N65, N67, N83, N84, R336, R339, R354, R381, R446, R458 and R939 are attached in Appendix C. The is also an interactive link where maps can be viewed (https://www.tii.ie/technical-services/environment/noise-maps/). Each map shows colour-coded contours of different noise bands, identifying areas that are relatively louder or quieter. The noise indicator contours shown on the noise maps are Lden and Lnight. These are defined as follows (more detailed definitions can be found in Appendix A):

➢ Lday: The A weighted average sound level over the twelve-hour day period of 0700-1900 h.

➢ Levening: The A weighted average sound level over the 4-hour evening period of 1900-2300 h.

➢ Lnight: The A-weighted average sound level over the 8-hour night period of 2300-0700 h.

➢ Lden: The day, evening, night rating level. Lden is a logarithmic average of the Lday, Levening, and Lnight

levels but with a 5 dB(A) weighting added to the Levening value and a 10 dB(A) weighting added to the

Lnight value.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

The noise levels reflect an annual average 24-hour period. The Lden contours shown on the maps range from 55dB to >75dB in 5 contour bands. The Lnight contours range from 45 dB to >70dB in 5 contour bands.

Areas with noise levels of less than 55dB Lden and less than 45dB Lnight are not mapped because these levels are below the threshold for inclusion under the legislation.

4.2.2 Summary Exposure Statistics The population exposure methodology was prepared during the noise mapping process. In summary, population exposure in each noise contour band was generated by cross referencing geodirectory locations with population data to create a set of population figures for each stretch of major road in the country. A summary report was provided to each local authority to assist in preparation of the action plans. The estimated population exposure results within the coverage of the strategic noise mapping for County Galway are shown in Tables 2 and 3 below, with results from R2 and R3 presented together.

Tables 2(a) and (b): Population Exposure Data, (Lden)

Decibel Level Approximate Number of Approximate Number of Contour People 2012 People 2017

55 - 59 3,769 3,267 60 -64 2,732 2,242 65 - 69 2,918 2,620 70 - 74 574 411 > 75 6 3

Decibel Level Approximate Number Approximate Number Contour of Dwellings 2012 of Dwellings 2017

> 55 4,188 3,415 > 65 1,497 1,263 > 75 2 1

Tables 3 (a) and (b): Population Exposure Data, (Lnight)

Decibel Level Approximate Number of Approximate Number of Contour People 2012 People 2017

50 - 54 2,721 2,295 55 -59 3,219 2,989

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

60 - 64 897 527 65 - 69 18 6 > 70 0 0

Decibel Level Approximate Number Approximate Number Contour of Dwellings 2012 of Dwellings 2017

> 50 2,894 2,327 > 60 400 223 > 70 0 0

Tables 4 and 5: Total Action Plan Area, (Lden) and (Lnight)

Decibel Level Approximate Approximate 2 2 Contour (Lden) Area (km ) 2012 Area (km ) 2017

> 55 99 83 > 65 19 17

> 75 2 1.1

Decibel Level Approximate Approximate 2 2 Contour (Lnight) Area (km ) 2012 Area (km ) 2017

> 50 53 44 > 60 10 8 > 70 0 0

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

4.3 Limitations of the Noise Mapping Process 4.3.1 Limitations of the Computer Modelling Method The data used to generate the noise maps was obtained from computer modelling rather than from actual noise measurement. This approach is in accordance with the Noise Regulations. There are technical and practical reasons for using computer modelling in preference to noise measurement to produce noise maps4. Noise levels at each monitoring location will generally result from a combination of different sources and physical measurement would not allow for the specific contribution from road noise to be determined. Furthermore, to produce a map based on measurements would require a large number of measurements to be made at each location over extended monitoring periods, at prohibitive expense.

The use of computer modelling to prepare noise maps is not a limitation of the noise mapping process because it is the method imposed under the Regulations. However, this noise mapping method does make it difficult to quantify the reduction in noise levels achieved by specific mitigation measures implemented at a local level. Without “before” and “after” noise monitoring results, improvements cannot be quantified. To address this limitation, Galway County Council propose that where specific situations are identified for which mitigation measures may be required, a limited amount of noise monitoring will be conducted to confirm that noise levels are unsatisfactory. Where mitigation measures are implemented, further monitoring will be carried out to quantify the effectiveness of the measures.

Data obtained from computer modelling is somewhat limited in that it provides a single annual average noise level and does not identify changing noise profiles over time.

5 IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS TO BE SUBJECTED TO NOISE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 5.1 Assessing and Prioritising Actions As outlined in 2.3.1 above, key strategic projects are listed as specific Objectives in Section 6.2 of the Galway County Development Plan 2015-2021. These projects include:

• The Galway City Outer Bypass • Development of the N17 Milltown to Claremorris • R336 from Bearna to Scríb via Ros an Mhíl • N17 Baile Chláir Inner Relief Road • N59 Maigh Cuilinn Bypass

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

• N59 Oughterard Bypass • R381 (formerly N18) to M6 • Athenry Ringroad north The delivery of the key strategic projects is a priority of Galway County Council and will serve as the main noise mitigation measures on the major roads in the action planning area for the first round of the implementation of the regulations.

There are no statutory limits in place in relation to environmental noise exposures at EU or national level. The EPA recommends that the proposed onset levels for assessment of noise mitigation measures for noise due to road traffic should be as follows:

➢ 70dB, Lden and

➢ 57dB, Lnight

The proposed onset levels for assessment of noise level preservation for quiet areas, where the existing noise level is considered good are as follows:

➢ 55dB, Lden and

➢ 45dB, Lnight

In order to focus resources on areas in most need of improvement, a decision matrix will be applied, based on work carried out by Dublin Agglomeration. The final matrix score is determined based on three variables:

1. The calculated environmental noise level (from the noise mapping data). 2. The type of location (e.g. town centre, commercial, residential). 3. The noise source (i.e. road, rail, airport, agglomeration).

1. Calculated environmental noise level.

The score under this variable is assigned based on the calculated Lden and Lnight levels for the location.

2. Type of location. This score is assigned based on the type of land use in the area and on the receptor. A higher score is assigned to open countryside based on the expectation that residences in open countryside will have lower ambient noise levels than commercial areas and town centres. A higher score is also assigned to

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

noise sensitive locations because of the requirement for low noise levels for them to function effectively (e.g. schools, churches, funeral homes, hospitals, nursing homes).

3. Noise Source In County Galway, the noise source is the same for all assessments (i.e. noise from major roads). It has been suggested in EPA Noise Guidance Document that each Action Planning Authority may impose an additional weighting factor to the matrix to include the number of residents at each address. However, Galway County Council does not propose to impose this additional weighting for the following reasons:

➢ The number of residents at a particular location may change with change of ownership. ➢ While there may be only one or two residents at a particular address, their lifestyle habits may be such that they spend considerably more hours around the home than for example a large family where the adults are at work all day and children are at school.

Data obtained from the matrix tool will enable Galway County Council to prioritise actions. A matrix assessment score of 17 or greater will be taken to indicate that the threshold levels may have been exceeded and that the location should be included in the shortlist for further assessment.

Table 6. Matrix A: Decision Support Matrix to identify and prioritise noisy areas Priority Matrix

Location

Decision Selection Criteria Score Range Score Range Sub Total

Lden Lnight Noise Band 45-49 0 1 50-55 0 1 55-59 1 2 60-64 1 3 65-69 2 4 70-74 3 5

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

75-79 4 6 >/=80 5 7 Type of Town centre 1 1 Location Commercial 1 2 Residential 2 3 Noise Sensitive 3 3 Open countryside 3 3 Recreational open space 2 2 Type of noise Air 3 4 source Industry 2 3 Rail 2 3 Road 3 4 Total score

5.2 Preservation of Noise Levels in Quiet Areas and Noise Sensitive Locations A quiet area in open country is defined as an area delimited by the action planning authority following consultation with the agency and approval by the minister, that is undisturbed by noise from traffic, industry or recreational activities. At present, there are no such areas identified along the road sections for which noise mapping has been carried out therefore quiet areas are not relevant to this action plan.

Noise Sensitive locations are locations where a quieter noise environment is preferable for effectively carrying out the functions of the particular location. They include schools, libraries, hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes, churches and other places of worship.

Decision support Matrix ‘B’ can be applied (Table 7) to identify noise sensitive locations, recreational open spaces or quiet areas for which mitigating measures may be required to preserve a good quality noise environment.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Table 7. Matrix B: Decision Support Matrix to preserve quiet areas Priority Matrix

Location

Decision Selection Criteria Score Range Score Range Sub Total

Lden Lnight Noise Band <45 0 0 45-49 1 2 50-54 2 3 55-59 3 4 Type of Noise Sensitive 3 3 Location Quiet area 3 3 Recreational open space 2 2 Type of noise Air 3 4 source Industry 2 3 Rail 2 3 Road 3 4 Total score

The noise maps will be examined to identify any noise sensitive locations situated within the action planning area. Any noise sensitive locations identified will be tested against Matrix ‘A’ (Table 6) to establish whether mitigation measures need to be carried out to improve the existing noise situation. They will also be tested against Matrix ‘B’ to identify whether protective measures need to be taken to preserve the quiet environment at these locations.

6 MITIGATION AND PROTECTION MEASURES 6.1 The Source of Road Noise The level of environmental noise generated by a particular road is dependent on a range of factors including the number and type of vehicles, the speed of the vehicles, the road surface and the incline. The extent to which the noise travels from the road is affected mainly by the following parameters: distance,

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

weather, the presence of acoustic barriers, buildings, road width, road incline, nature of the topography and whether the ground is acoustically absorbent or reflective. The most significant factor in terms of noise generation is the noise produced by the vehicle. Vehicle noise arises from three sources: ➢ Propulsion noise (engine, powertrain, exhaust and intake systems). ➢ Tyre/road contact noise. ➢ Aerodynamic noise.

Engine noise is the dominant source at lower speeds (under 30kph for passenger cars/under 50kph for lorries), tyre/road noise dominates above that and aerodynamic noise becomes louder as a function of the vehicle speed.

Vehicle noise limits are set in EU legislation and address propulsion noise for new vehicles. Current limits are shown in Appendix E. Noise emissions are determined by means of a vehicle drive-by test, which measures the noise emitted as the vehicle drives by at 50kph and accelerates in front of the microphone position. The current drive by test does not include provision for evaluating noise performance in typical urban stop-start traffic situations at lower speeds, where engine noise is the dominant source.

The EU noise limits are a valuable tool for ensuring that noise emissions are minimized for new vehicles. However, they only apply to new vehicles. As vehicles age, the level of noise produced by the engine increases with wear and tear on the parts but there is presently no requirement in Ireland to assess noise emissions from older vehicles. Another practical limitation to the noise emission limits is that while a newly purchased vehicle may comply with its emission limit, modifications to or removal of the vehicle silencer will result in an excessively noisy vehicle.

Tyre rolling noise emissions have increased over time, predominantly due to the trend towards wider and heavier tyres. Tyre/road contact begins to dominate the noise emission above 30km/h for passenger cars and above 50km/h for lorries. For this reason, it was deemed necessary to regulate tyre/road noise separately at EU level.

The rolling noise emissions of tyres are regulated under the following EU regulations.

Labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters – Regulation 1222/2009 In support of Regulation 661/2009 this Regulation establishes a framework for the provision of harmonised information on tyre parameters through labelling, allowing end-users to make informed choice when purchasing tyres.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

As from 1st November 2012 the EU Energy labels for tyres must be available at point of sale and show information on fuel consumption, wet grip and rolling noise levels, as shown in Figure 7.1.

Figure 7.1: Example of EU Energy label for tyres

6.2 Measures To Reduce Noise From Major Roads 6.2.1 Existing Developments There are a limited number of approaches that can be taken to reduce noise from major roads for existing dwellings:

If properly planned and implemented, relocating the road away from high-density settlements along a new alignment can be one of the most effective methods of minimizing the numbers of dwellings likely to be affected by the road noise.

This mitigation measure has been implemented in County Galway with the completion of the M6 Galway to Athlone, the M18 and the M17. This included noise barrier mitigation fitted to limit noise impact in accordance with TII guidelines. A section of the Athenry Northern Ringroad was also completed in 2013.

The delivery of the key strategic projects outlined in section 2.3.1 above is a priority of Galway County Council and will serve as the main noise mitigation measures on the major roads in the action planning area for the third round of the implementation of the regulations.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Galway County Council aims to develop a better balance between the use of private vehicular transport and alternative modes of transport as outlined in the Galway County Development Plan 2015 – 2021 and the Galway Transport Strategy August 2016. Policies seek to extend public transportation options and support the provision of Quality Bus Corridors, commuter rail services and park and ride facilities. Specific Objectives also support public transport initiatives and pedestrian and cycling facilities.

Where areas are identified by further assessment as requiring possible mitigation, it may be possible to install noise barriers on major roads away from residential areas (where pedestrian access is not an issue). Traffic calming measures can be employed where the major road passes through a built-up area. Changes to the road to use low noise surfaces may be appropriate in some instances. Improved insulation will reduce noise levels within dwellings, but this is only effective when windows are kept closed.

6.2.2 Future Developments The measures available for the protection of future developments from exposure to noise from major roads include acoustical planning measures in land use zoning and development layout, design and specifications, such as: locating residential developments away from major roads; using the lands around major roads feeding into towns for commercial/industrial development; incorporating noise issues into the design of housing developments by locating the access roads and green areas on the major road side of the development, thus increasing the separation distance between the houses and the roads; using a higher standard of insulation for new dwellings adjacent to major roads and also using higher standards of insulation for the exposed façades of new dwellings.

Galway County Council will endeavour to protect the future noise climate by the early incorporation of noise action planning into the planning and operational stages of future developments.

6.3 Proposed Measures for County Galway Action Planning Area 6.3.1 Mitigation Measures: Galway County Council will strive to reduce road traffic noise exposure levels by:

➢ Delivery of Strategic Projects: • The Galway City Ring Road • Development of the N17 Milltown to Claremorris

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

• R336 from Bearna to Scríb via Ros an Mhíl • N17 Baile Chláir Inner Relief Road • N59 Maigh Cuilinn Bypass • N59 Oughterard Bypass • Athenry Ringroad • R381(formerly N18) to M6

➢ Promoting Public Transport: Galway County Council aims to develop a better balance between the use of private vehicular transport and alternative modes of transport. Policies seek to extend public transportation options and support the provision of Quality Bus Corridors, commuter rail services and park and ride facilities.

➢ Smarter Travel and Active Travel Towns: The aim of Smarter Travel is to get people to consider the impact our travel decisions have on ourselves and others. The Smarter Travel Programme provides funding and facilities for cyclists, walkers & public transport users. The Council actively promotes Smarter Travel through its proactive role in promoting sustainable mobility by delivering a programme of events to mark 'Bike Week' each year, such as Family Fun Cycles and Cycle to Work Scheme.

The Council further encourages the shift from car to walking and cycling by providing safer routes for people to travel by bicycle or on foot. Traffic Calming Measures, Footpaths & Pedestrian Crossings have been provided to improve walking and cycling routes in the towns of Loughrea, Tuam and Athenry Co. Galway.

➢ Park and Ride Facilities Future development of Park and Ride facilities at key locations in the County will be subject to the availability of finances.

➢ Improved Traffic Management and smoothing Traffic Flows. Where appropriate, new traffic calming areas will be designated, and existing traffic calming measures will be optimised subject to the availability of finances.

Galway County Council will consider improvement or changes to road surfaces during routine road maintenance, where necessary, by: o Improving the quality of road surfaces by ongoing road maintenance programmes. o Using low-noise road surfaces where appropriate.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Where relevant, Galway County Council will investigate the feasibility of extending speed limit zones. For major national roads, this would be done in consultation with the TII.

Galway County Council will consider a maintenance programme for council-owned fleet vehicles to ensure they are maintained to an adequate level to minimise unnecessary noise generation.

6.3.2 Protection Measures for Future Improvement: Galway County Council will endeavour to utilise the planning process as necessary:

➢ To incorporate the aims of the present and future noise action plans into the county development plan and into relevant local area plans, protecting larger areas from road noise. Special consideration should be given to zoning objectives, speed limits and established settlements within the area.

➢ To encourage Developers (or require at the discretion of the Planning Authority) to produce a sound impact assessment and implement mitigation measures as follows: o For new developments proposed within the current action planning area or o For developments proposed near major roads (i.e. traffic volumes in excess of 3 million vehicles per annum or otherwise on a case by case basis).

➢ To incorporate acoustical planning into the development design where developments are planned adjacent to major roads e.g. designing the development so that the access road is adjacent to the major road noise source. It may also involve the use of buffer zones and/or noise barriers and traffic calming measures.

➢ To require, where appropriate, noise sensitive development proposals within the vicinity of airports to include noise and/or vibration attenuation measures.

➢ To ensure that all future developments are designed and constructed to minimise noise disturbance.

Galway County Council will consider providing for a higher standard of façade and window insulation on the most exposed façades in new local authority housing developments located beside major roads, potentially with a pre-completion sound insulation test carried out prior to habitation to ensure that recommended internal noise levels in line with BS 8233:2014 have been achieved.

Galway County Council will consider requiring a higher standard of façade and window insulation for all new multiple residential developments located beside major roads, potentially with a pre-completion sound insulation test required prior to habitation to ensure that recommended internal noise levels in line

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

with BS 8233:2014 have been achieved. Galway County Council will consider requiring a higher standard of façade and window insulation for single one-off housing applications beside major roads in order to achieve the recommended internal noise levels within BS 8233:2014.

Protection measures for future improvement may also include extending speed limit restrictions around built-up areas.

6.3.3 Description of Existing Noise Reduction Measures The completion of the M6 Galway to Athlone, the M17 and the M18 motorways resulted in the removal of considerable traffic from the affected towns/villages. Noise reduction measures were also carried out on these schemes. The N17 by pass was completed resulting in the reduction of traffic travelling through the town.

The first Quality Bus Corridor in the county was opened on the N17 in Baile Chláir in 2008 encouraging the use of public transport through reduced bus journey times.

6.3.4 Monitoring Measures: Data presented in the noise maps shown in Appendix C is obtained from computer modelling and is reported as an average annual noise level, Lden and Lnight. The model may under or over-estimate the environmental noise levels resulting from major road traffic at a particular location. Where the decision matrix process has identified locations for further assessment, noise monitoring may be carried out to confirm that levels of environmental noise are unsatisfactory and that mitigation measures may be required. The possibility of other noise sources contributing to the measured noise level must be considered in this assessment. Where mitigation measures can be implemented, further noise monitoring will be carried out after implementation in order to quantify the improvement achieved.

6.3.5 Consultative Measures In areas where Galway County Council do not have a regulatory role, but where improvements in regulatory controls will affect a reduction in environmental noise from major roads, Galway County Council will consult and liaise with the relevant authorities.

These areas may include:

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

i. Liaising with the TII to extend speed restriction zones for national roads passing through built-up areas. ii. Recommending to the Planning Authority that measures proposed in this action plan be included in the Galway County Development Plan and in relevant Local Area Plans. iii. Recommending to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport that noise monitoring be incorporated as part of the NCT and DOE commercial vehicle tests to enforce EU Regulations 168/2013 and 540/2014. Wear and tear on a vehicle will increase noise emissions and should be addressed in vehicle testing. A vehicle with a missing or defective silencer will not pass the NCT test. iv. Liaising with the EPA to establish limit values for community noise.

7 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Submissions and observations were invited from the general public in the preparation of this Noise Action Plan. Public Notices, in Irish and in English, were published on the Galway County Council website www.galway.ie and was also published in the Connacht Tribune – edition of 19/12/19. The Public Notices are included in Appendix D.

The Draft Plan was available for public inspection during normal office hours from 23rd December 2019 until 27th January 2020, at the following locations:

• Roads and Transportation Department, Galway County Council, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway.

• Ballinasloe Municipal District Offices, Civic Offices, Ballinasloe, County Galway.

• Loughrea Municipal District Office, Barrack Street, Loughrea, County Galway.

• Tuam Municipal District Office, High Street, Tuam, County Galway.

• Athenry/Oranmore Municipal District Office, Old Church Street, Athenry, County Galway • Oifig Áitiúil an Cheathrú Rua, An Ceathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe

The Draft Plan was also available for inspection on the Galway County Council website: www.galway.ie

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

The deadline for the submission of observations, comments or suggestions for improvements to the Draft Plan, by post or email, was 3:30pm on the 10th February 2020.

There was one public submission received. A copy of the submission received is provided in Appendix D and a summary and of the response is provided hereunder:

Originator of submission Summary of submission Response to submission A group of members of the General summary of The location will be examined public residing in a housing submission relates to traffic in line with the estate in Oranmore adjacent noise being experienced in recommendations of the Noise to the old N67 (now R446) private homes adjacent to the Action Plan, through the initial former N67 (now R446). application of the Decision Specifically the dual Support Matrix using final carriageway stretch between buildings polygon dataset the Martin roundabout and the provided by TII and pending Carrownamesh roundabout. these results, noise monitoring potentially may be The affect the noise has on carried out. the residents was highlighted in the submission.

8 IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME 8.1 Roles and Responsibilities Under the Environmental Noise Directive transposed into law by the European Communities (Environmental Noise ) Regulations 2018, the Transport Infrastructure of Ireland (TII) is the noise mapping body for major national roads in County Galway. Galway County Council are the noise mapping body for major non-national roads in the county. Galway County Council are the Action Planning Authority for major roads in County Galway. The volumes of rail and air traffic in the county are below the threshold for noise mapping and so the Regulations do not apply to these areas at present.

Galway County Council is responsible for the preparation of this noise action plan and for meeting the stated objectives of the plan, including implementing measures to improve existing noise levels at a local level (if appropriate) and identifying and implementing measures for the protection of the future environment from road noise. Galway County Council is also responsible for identifying major non- national roads that fall under the third round of implementation of the regulations (i.e. more than 3 million vehicles per annum) and ensuring that noise mapping is carried out for these roads.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

The TII is the noise mapping body for major roads under the third round of implementation of the regulations on behalf of Galway County Council.

8.2 Targets and Objectives: It is the aim of this action plan to manage environmental noise from major roads, to protect good satisfactory noise environments where they exist and to protect the quality of the future noise environment by acoustical planning.

8.3 Programme of Works Year One (2019 - 2020): Apply the Matrix assessment method described in Section 5 to identify from noise maps specific areas for which further assessment may be warranted (i.e. monitoring).

Year Two (2020-2021): Initiate monitoring in specific areas if required, to determine existing noise levels in dB(A) and identify appropriate mitigation measures for specific locations for which corrective measures are required. Undertake consultative measures as outlined in section 6 above. Continue implementation of the proposals set out in the County Development Plan and Galway Transport strategy where applicable.

Year three to four (2021 – 2022): Commence implementation of the relevant actions as outlined in section 6, where necessary. Communicate with various stakeholders to update data as required. Continue implementation of County Development plan and Galway transport Strategy where relevant.

Year 5 2023- Review the impact and success of the plan and commence preparation of revised noise action plan. The above measures are subject to the availability of both staff and financial resources.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

8.4 Evaluation, Review and Corrective Action Programmes 8.4.1 Ongoing Review Progress will be reviewed against the programme of works on an annual basis. An annual interim summary report will be prepared. This report will highlight progress in implementation of action plan measures and will also identify areas where corrective action is required or where the proposed measures must be modified for presently unforeseen reasons.

9 FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 9.1 Budgetary Provisions Financial provisions have not been made available at national level to fund any noise assessment measures, mitigation measures or additional noise mapping requirements resulting from implementation of this action plan. Staff resources have not been increased to assist in implementation of the plan. Because of the lack of these resources, any mitigation measures must be strictly prioritised. It is hoped that where mitigation measures are identified, their implementation will also be found to be of benefit to other local authority sections e.g. Environment.

9.2 Cost Benefit Analysis

Evaluation of the impact of noise nuisance is complicated because noise nuisance is subjective; it is largely related to the type of noise, the source of the noise and whether it is welcome or unwelcome, and background noise levels in the environment. Responses to noise from the different transport sources can vary considerably. The impact of mitigating measures to address noise nuisance is further complicated because noise is measured on a logarithmic scale and human perception of loudness does not directly coincide with increased sound pressure levels (e.g. a 3dB increase in noise, which represents a doubling in sound pressure level, is the smallest statistically significant increase in loudness detectable by the human ear). To reduce the subjective “loudness” of a noise source by 50% would require a 10dB drop in noise level and may be very difficult to achieve without major investment in noise mitigation. Assigning a monetary cost to the noise nuisance can enable cost benefit analysis to be used as a decision support tool in determining what (if any) noise mitigation measure is to be implemented.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

In December 2003 a European Commission working group – ‘Working Group on Health and Socio- Economic Valuation of Noise’ produced a position paper and recommended the following in relation to road noise: • For road transport, the (interim) use of the median value change in noise perceived by households

of €25 per dB (Lden), per household per year. The validity range of this interim value is between

50/55 Lden and 70/75 Lden and it should be adjusted as new research on the value of noise becomes available. • The estimate of the change should apply at all initial noise levels, and regardless of the size of any change brought about;

As a preliminary step in carrying out cost benefit analysis on possible noise mitigation measures, Galway County Council propose to assign the monetary benefit to noise mitigation measures as recommended above (i.e. €25 per dB (Lden) per household per year). The number of households in the immediate area that would potentially benefit from a particular mitigation measure will also be factored into the analysis.

10 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The Galway County Council Action Plan addresses road noise from: • M6 from the N6 at Glennascaul to the Roscommon County Boundary. • M17 from Tuam to the intersection with the M6 at Rathmorrissy • M18 from the M6 at Rathmorrissy intersection to the Clare County Boundary. • N6 from the Galway City Boundary to the M6 motorway at Glennascaul. • N17 from the M17 at Tuam to the Mayo County Boundary. • N59 from the Galway City Boundary to Oughterard. • N65 from the M6 Junction 16 to Loughrea • N67 from the Galway City Boundary to the Clare County Boundary • N83 from the Galway City Boundary to Tuam • N84 from the Galway City Boundary to Headford. • R336 from the Galway City Boundary to An Spidéal. • R339 from the Galway City Boundary to its junction with the R381 at Crosbhóthar an Chairn Mhóir. • R354 from the N83 to Lackaghbeg • R381 from the N83 to Crosbhóthar an Chairn Mhóir (R339/N67)

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

• R446 from its junction with the N67 at Oranbeg to its junction with the R348. • R458 from the N67 to Gort • R939 from the N83 to the N17

Adjacent lands are located within the action plan area if noise mapping has indicated that the environmental noise levels may be greater than 55dB Lden or 50dB Lnight.

The aim of the action plan is to manage existing road noise within the plan area and to protect the future environmental noise environment within the plan area.

While no limits exist for environmental noise in Ireland, the EPA recommends that proposed onset levels for assessment of noise mitigation measures for noise due to road traffic are as follows:

➢ 70dB, Lden and

➢ 57dB, Lnight

Noise maps were prepared for major roads in the county based on a road noise computation model run by the TII. These maps present calculated environmental noise levels from major roads in coloured noise contour bands from 55dB Lden and 45dB Lnight, to greater than 75dB Lden and greater than 70dB Lnight , in 5 dB bands.

The noise maps for County Galway were prepared based on the roads network in place in the county in 2017.

In terms of the management of existing road noise, it is a priority of Galway County Council to deliver key strategic projects as listed as specific Objectives of the Galway County Development Plan 2015 – 2021. These projects include: • The Galway City Ring Road • Development of the N17 Milltown to Claremorris • R336 from Bearna to Scríb via Ros an Mhíl • N17 Baile Chláir Inner Relief Road • N59 Maigh Cuilinn Bypass • N59 Oughterard Bypass • Athenry Ringroad

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

• R381 formerly N18) to M6

All these projects involve the construction of roads on new alignments and will remove large volumes of traffic from the sections of the N6, N17 and N67 national primary roads, N59 and N84 national secondary roads and R336, R339 and R446 regional road identified as major roads in County Galway for the purpose of implementation of round three of the Directive and the Regulations.

The resulting removal of large traffic volumes away from the existing routes will reduce the current noise impact to acceptable levels.

The effective management of future road noise can be addressed to some extent through the planning process (acoustical planning). It is recommended that developers address the impact of road noise in the assessment of new developments and design developments to minimise noise nuisance. For acoustical planning to be a useful tool, it can only be incorporated as a series of objectives into the Galway County and Local Area Development Plans.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Appendix A: Glossary of acoustic and technical terms

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Glossary

Acoustical Planning: Controlling future noise by planned measures such as land-use planning, systems engineering for traffic, traffic planning, abatement by sound-insulation measures and control of noise sources.

Agglomeration: A dense urbanized area having a population greater than 100,000 persons.

Decibel (dB): A unit of measurement of sound. When measuring environmental noise, an “A” weighting network is used (called dB(A)) which filters the frequency of the sound to mimic human hearing, which is most sensitive to frequencies between 500Hz and 5,000Hz. The decibel scale is logarithmic. If two noise sources emit the same sound level e.g. 80dB(A), the combined sound level from the two sources is 83dB(A) and not 160dB(A). The human perception of “loudness” is that a 10dB increase in sound level is perceived as being twice as loud. A 3dB increase, which is a doubling of the sound level, is perceived as a barely perceptible change in loudness. A decibel level of zero represents absolute silence. A level of 140dB(A) would cause ear pain.

The table below gives examples of the relationship between the subjective valuation of noise and the actual objective levels (taken from the END Briefing note of the 07/02/08):

Noise Level dB (A) Description

120 Threshold of Pain 95 Pneumatic drill (at 7m distance) 83 Heavy diesel lorry (40km/h at 7m distance 81 Modern twin-engine jet (at take-off at 152m distance) 70 Passenger car (60km/h at 7m distance) 60 Office environment 50 Ordinary conversation 40 Library 35 Quiet bedroom 0 Threshold of hearing

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Daytime: Between the hours of 7am and 7pm.

dB(Lin)max peak: Instantaneous Maximum Peak sound pressure measured in decibels on a sound level meter, without the use of a frequency weighting system - used to measure air overpressure levels from blasting.

Evening time: Between the hours of 7pm and 11pm.

Environmental Noise: Shall mean unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, and from sites of industrial activity such as integrated pollution prevention and control licensed industries.

Hertz: Unit of frequency of sound.

IPPC Licence: Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence (obtained from EPA).

Lden: (day-evening-night noise rating indicator) shall mean the noise indicator for overall annoyance. This comprises of adding the average value for the 12-hour day time period with the average value of the 4- hour evening period plus a 5-decibel weighting or penalty, and the average value for the 8-hour night time period with a 10-decibel weighting or penalty.

Lday: (day-noise indicator) shall mean the noise indicator for annoyance during the day period. This is the average value in decibels for the daytime period.

Levening: (evening-noise indicator) shall mean the noise indicator for annoyance during the evening period. This is the average value in decibels for the evening time period.

Lnight: (night-time noise indicator) shall mean the noise indicator for sleep disturbance. This is the average value in decibels for the night-time period.

Major road: a national or regional road a public road as defined in the Roads Act 1993, as amended, which has more than 3 million vehicles per annum.

Major railway: A railway line, which has more than 30,000 train passages per year.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Major Airport: A civil airport, which has more than 50,000 movements per year, excluding those movements purely for training purposes on light aircraft; in this context, a movement means a single take- off or landing of an aircraft.

Night time: Between the hours of 11pm and 7am.

Noise annoyance: Noise annoyance is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as 'a feeling of displeasure evoked by noise'9.

Peak Particle Velocity (ppv): Peak particle velocity is a measure of vibration magnitude, which is the maximum rate of change of ground displacement with time, usually measured in mm/sec.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Appendix B: Bibliography and References

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Bibliography and References

Bastenier, H., Klosterkoetterw,W. & Large, J.B. (1975) Environment and quality of life - damage and annoyance caused by noise. Commission of the European Communities.

Berglund B., Lindvall T. & Schwela D. (Eds) Guidelines for community noise, World Health Organisation, London, March 1999, Published 2nd of March 2000.

The British Standards Institution. BS EN ISO 8233:2014 Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings. BSI Standards Limited. 2014.

CSO Census data 2016 www.cso.ie Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Building Regulations 1997-2008.

Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework, 2018.

Department of Transport, UK, ‘Calculation of Road Traffic Noise’, HMSO, 988 ISBN 0115508473.

Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Guidance Note for Action Planning, 2009 (updated 2018).

Environmental Protection Agency, Guidance Note for Noise: Licence Applications, Surveys and Assessments in Relation to Scheduled Activities (NG4), 2012.

Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Management Guidelines, Environmental Management in the Extractive Industry (Non-Scheduled Minerals), 2006.

Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Quality Objectives – Noise in Quiet Areas (2000-MS-14-M1), Environmental RTDI Programme 2000 – 2006. (Authors Waugh, D., Durucan, et. al.), 2003.

Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 and 2003 (as amended).

European Commission (2002). Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. OJ L 189, 18/07/2002, Luxemburg 2002.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

European Communities Environmental Noise Regulations 2018, (S.I. No. 549 of 2018).

European Commission (2003). Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information. OJ L 41, 14/02/2003, Luxemburg 2003.

European Commission, Reporting Mechanism proposed for the reporting under the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC - Overview, October 2007.

European Commission Working Group Assessment of Exposure to Noise (WG- AEN), Position Paper, Final Draft, Good Practice Guide for Strategic Noise Mapping and the Production of Associated Data on Noise Exposure, Version 2, 13th January 2006.

European Commission Working Group Health & Socio-Economic Aspects (WG- HSEA), Position Paper on Dose-Effect Relationship for Night Time Noise, 11 November 2004.

European Commission Working Group Health & Socio-Economic Aspects (WGHSEA) Working Paper on the Effectiveness of Noise Measures, July 2005.

European Commission Working Group 2 – Dose/Effect, Position paper on dose response relationships between transportation noise and annoyance, 2002.

EC Contract B4-3040/2001/329750/MAR/C1 “Adaptation and revision of the interim noise computation methods for the purpose of strategic noise mapping”.

European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007, (S.I. No. 133 of 2007).

European Communities (Noise Emission by Equipment for Use Outdoors) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, (S.I. No. 241 of 2006).

Galway County Council, County Development Plan 2015-2021.

Galway Transport Strategy, August 2016

National Roads Authority, Guidelines for the Treatment of Noise and Vibration in National Road Schemes, Revision 1, October 2004.

National Roads Authority, Environmental Impact Assessment of National Road Schemes – A Practical Guide, 2005.

National Roads Authority, Good Practice Guidance for the Treatment of Noise during the Planning of National Road Schemes- March 2014

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004, (S.I. No. 436 of 2004).

Protection of the Environment Act, 2003 (S.I. No. 3931 of 2003).

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Control of Noise at Work) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 371 of 2006).

Symonds Group Ltd. Report on the definition, identification and preservation of urban and rural quiet areas. Final Report 4E 59492, 2003. Symonds Group Ltd, East Grinstead, UK.

World Health Organisation: Europe. Burden of Disease from Environmental Noise. 2011.

Weblinks QCity http://www.qcity.org

SILENCEhttp://wwwsilence-ip.org

SILVIA https://trl.co.uk/

HEATCO http://heatco.ier.uni-stuttgart.de/

WHO noise http://www.euro.who.int/Noise

WG-AEN http://ec.europa.eu/environment/noise/mapping.htm

GLA Noise Strategy http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/noise

https://www.tii.ie/technical-services/environment/noise-maps/

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Appendix C: Strategic Noise Maps

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Appendix D: Public Consultation advertisements and submission

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe Galway County Council

Draft Noise Action Plan Galway County Council Draft Noise Action Plan under the Environmental Noise Regulations, 2018 (Statutory Instrument No. 549 of 2018). ______Galway County Council being the designated Action Planning Authority under Article 7 of the above regulations, has prepared a Draft Noise Action Plan 2019-2023 for the sections of major roads in their functional areas which experience a volume of traffic greater than 3 million vehicle passages per year. The plan excludes noise from domestic activities, noise created by neighbours and noise at work places. The Draft Plan will be available for public inspection during normal office hours, from the 23rd December 2019 until 27th January 2020, at the following locations: • Roads and Transportation Department, Galway County Council, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway • Ballinasloe Municipal District Office, Civic Offices, Ballinasloe, County Galway • Loughrea Municipal District Office, Barrack Street, Loughrea, County Galway • Tuam Municipal District Office, High Street, Tuam, County Galway • Athenry/Oranmore Municipal District Office, Old Church St., Athenry, Co. Galway • Oifig Áitiúil an Cheathrú Rua, An Ceathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe The Draft Plan will also be available for inspection on the Galway County Council website: www.galway.ie Observations and submissions in respect of the proposed Plan should be made in writing and addressed to Mr. Jim Cullen, Director of Services, Infrastructure and Operations, Galway County Council, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway and marked ‘Submission – Draft Noise Action Plan 2019-2023’ or emailed to [email protected] before 3:30pm on the 10th February 2020.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe Galway County Council

Dréachtphlean Gníomhaíochta ar Thorann Dréachtphlean Gníomhaíochta ar Thorann Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe faoi Rialacháin um Thorann Comhshaoil, 2018 (Ionstraim Reachtúil Uimh, 549 de 2018). ______Is í Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe atá ainmnithe mar an tÚdarás um Pleanáil Gníomhaíochta faoi Airteagal 7 de na rialacháin thuasluaite agus tá Dréachtphlean Gníomhaíochta ar Thorann 2019-2023 ullmhaithe ag an gComhairle le haghaidh cuid de na píomhbhóithre ina limistéir feidhme a mbíonn níos mó ná 3 mhilliún feithicil ag taisteal orthu gach bliain. Níl torann ó ghníomhaíochtaí baile, torann ó chomharsana ná torann ó ionaid oibre san áireamh sa phlean. Cuirfear an Dréachphlean ar fáil don phobal lena iniúchadh le linn ghnáthuaireanta oifige, ón 23 Nollaig 2019 go dtí an 27 Eanáir 2020 sna hionaid seo a leanas: • An Roinn Iompair agus Bóithre, Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe, Áras an Chontae, Cnoc na Radharc, Gaillimh. • Oifig Cheantar Bardasach Bhéal Átha na Sluaighe, Oifigí Cathartha, Béal Átha na Sluaighe, Co. na Gaillimhe • Oifig Cheantar Bardasach Bhaile Locha Riach, Sráid na Beairice, Baile Locha Riach, Co. na Gaillimhe • Oifig Cheantar Bardasach Thuama An tSráid Ard, Tuaim, Gaillimh. • Oifig Cheantar Bardasach Bhaile Átha an Rí/Órán Mór, Sráid na Seaneaglaise, Baile Átha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe • Oifig Áitiúil na Ceathrún Rua, An Cheathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe Beidh an Dréachtphlean ar fáil lena scrúdú ar láithreán gréasáin Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe: www.galway.ie Is féidir tuairimí nó aighneachtaí i ndáil leis bPlean atá beartaithe a dhéanamh i scríbhinn agus a sheoladh chuig Jim Cullen Uasal, Stiúrthóir Seirbhísí, Bonneagar & Oibríochtaí, Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe, Áras an Chontae, Cnoc na Radharc, Gaillimh agus 'Aighneacht – Dréachtphlean Gníomhaíochta ar Thorann 2019-2023' scríofa air nó é a sheoladh ar ríomhphost [email protected] roimh 3:30pm an 10 Feabhra 2020.

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

Appendix E: EU Noise Emission Limits for New Road Vehicles

Galway County Council – Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

From Council Directive 92/97/EEC of 10 November 1992 amending Directive 70/157/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles.

Vehicle Type Noise Limit (dB(A))

Vehicles intended for the carriage of passengers, and comprising not more 74 than nine seats including the driver's seat: with an engine power of less 78 Vehicles intended for the carriage of than 150 kW: passengers and equipped with more than nine seats, including the driver's seat; and having a maximum permissible mass with an engine power of not 80 of more than 3.5 tonnes: less than 150 kW:

with a maximum permissible 76 Vehicles intended for the carriage of mass not exceeding 2 tonnes: passengers and equipped with more than nine seats, including the driver's seat; with a maximum permissible 77 vehicles intended for the carriage of mass exceeding 2 tonnes but goods: not exceeding 3.5 tonnes:

with an engine power of less 77 than 75 kW:

Vehicles intended for the carriage of with an engine power of not 78 goods and having a maximum less than 75 kW but less than permissible mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes: 150 kW: with an engine power of not 80 less than 150 kW:

However: • for vehicles of categories 5.2.2.1.1 and 5.2.2.1.3, the limit values are increased by 1 dB (A) if they are equipped with a direct injection diesel engine, • for vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of over two tonnes designed for off-road use, the limit values are increased by 1 dB (A) if their engine power is less than 150 kW and 2 dB (A) if their engine power is 150 kW or more, • for vehicles in category 5.2.2.1.1., equipped with a manually operated gear box having more than four forward gears and with an engine developing a maximum power exceeding 140 kW/t and whose permissible maximum power/maximum mass ratio exceeds 75 kW/t, the limit values are increased by 1 dB (A) if the speed at which the rear of the vehicle passes the line BB& prime; (Figure 1) in third gear is greater than 61 km/h.