Soho Noise Survey Reports 2008

Author Robert Reed

Protective Marking: Not Protectively Marked

Soho Noise Survey Link Report 3 - 11

Soho Noise Survey August 2008 12 - 31

Soho Noise Survey January 2008 32 - 50

Soho Noise Survey – Link Report 2008

Section 1 Introduction……………………….. 4

Section 2 Perception of noise and current guidance..………………... 5

Section 3 Noise Survey………………………. 7

Section 4 Data & Analysis…………………… 8

Section 5 Comparisons……………………… 9

Section 6 Issues for consideration on further action ……………………... 11

3 Section 1 - Introduction

This report links the two noise measurement surveys carried out as a supporting study in the development of the City Council’s emerging Noise Strategy Steering. The survey was made within two areas of Soho. The surveys took place from 21st January to 27th January and 4th August to the early hours of 31st August 2008.

The objectives of this project are:-

• To obtain a representative indication of the current background noise levels being generated in two areas of Soho during the days, evenings and night times (including late nights in August) on certain streets.

• To provide a better understanding as to the main contributing sources of the noise monitored and to identify any trends or particular stressed areas.

• To provide a comparison of the current noise climate and the previous survey in August 2003.

Section 2 – Perception of noise and current guidance

Noise is measured and described in terms of decibels (dB). The term dB(A) refers to a weighted sound pressure level, expressed as a decibel, that gives a single measurement of the sound present as perceived by the average human ear.

Changes in noise level of less that 2 dB or 3 dB in noise sources with similar characteristics are not normally perceptible by the human ear. If the character of the noise changes, however, perception is more acute. A change of 5 dB is noticeable with a change of 10 dB being perceived as a doubling or halving of loudness. Typical noise levels are:

Living rooms/bedrooms 30 / 35 dB(A) Normal Conversations 60 dB(A) Heavy road traffic @ 10 metres 80 dB(A) Pneumatic Drill @ 1 metre 100 dB(A)

When trying to interpret measurements and maps for the period of weekend night, current noise guidance can be considered.

In 1993 the European Commission, in a Green Paper entitled “Towards a Future Noise Policy” set a number of targets for noise. (Whilst this paper did not progress it is a useful reference document.) These targets, expressed in terms of LAeq (1) outside living spaces during night-time periods are as follows:

• Exposure of the population to noise levels in excess of 65dB(A) should be phased out. • At no point in time should a level of 85dB(A) be exceeded. • The proportion at present exposed to levels between 55 to 65dB(A) should not suffer any increase. • The proportion of the population at present exposed to levels less than 55dB(A) should not suffer any increase above that level.

(1) LAeq - The equivalent ‘A’ weighted sound pressure level that gives the energy average of fluctuating sound level measured over a specified time duration. Often referred to as the ‘Ambient Noise Level’

The World Health Organisation document for Community Noise (April 2000) indicates that for undisturbed sleep the external ‘ambient’ level should not exceed 45dB LAeq averaged over an 8 hour period.

5 The most widespread effect of noise for all times of day or night is annoyance, and annoyance caused in communities by environmental noise has been thoroughly evaluated using social survey techniques. The threshold for annoyance for steady continuous noise is an external LAeq of 50dB(A), with few people becoming seriously annoyed for exposures less than 55dB(A). The number of people seriously annoyed increases between 55-60 dB(A), and increases rapidly between 60-65 dB(A) ( the thresholds for annoyance are a further 10 dB lower for night-time periods).

(2). L90 - this is the sound pressure level exceeded for 90% of the measurement period. It is widely used to measure background noise levels.

6 Section 3 – Noise Survey

3.1 Monitoring Sites There were 40 monitoring sites in total covering the stress area of Soho bordered by Oxford St, Regent St, Charing Cross Road and Orange St. The sites were divided by Wardour Street into East and West sections.

The monitoring was divided into the following three time periods 1) Day – between 7:00 and 19:00 2) Evening – between 19:00 and 23 :00 3) Night – between 23:00 and 1:00 4) Late Night- between 01.00 and 04.00.

Monitoring was carried out on both weekdays and weekends but not on Sundays except where Saturday nights continued into early Sunday morning.

3.2 Measurements

Measurements were taken using a hand held Type 1 sound level meter at street level, 1 metre from building facades to reduce reflection effects. Measurements of the background noise level (LA90) and the equivalent continuous noise level (LAeq) were taken over 5-minute intervals.

In addition notes were taken of predominate noise sources and the sites were categorised by the type of noise experienced. E.g. road traffic, pedestrians and music from licensed premises or residential locations.

7 4.1 Data & Analysis

The surveys in January and August totalled five hundred and sixty 5-minute measurements of LAeq and LA90 were taken during six monitoring periods (weekday daytime, evening, nights and late nights and weekend day-time, evening, night and late nights) at forty monitoring sites. The late night measurement period (01.00 to 04.00 hours) was added for the August survey as requested at a presentation of the January survey to the Soho Steering Group. The comparable survey in 2003 was taken during August.

4.2. Trends

4.2.1 Overall, noise levels during evenings and nights at weekends were noisier than weekdays during the same measurement periods. (62.5% of sites).

4.2.2. At sites where this was not the case in the evening, noise was due to pedestrian traffic (presumably office workers) and weekday evening traffic.

4.2.3. Measurements of selected quiet areas were inconsistent with this trend where noise levels were higher on weekday days rather than night time. Surveys at these sites provided a useful baseline for the areas. Results showed noise levels at night for weekdays were lower than noise levels during the day and week-ends rose compared to days and fell sharply at late night.

4.2.4. Monitoring has shown that during the week daytime noise levels were usually greater or equal to that of evening noise (67.5% of sites). Weekday evening noise levels were higher than those at night time and those at late night (62.5% of sites: 10% were at equal noise levels).

4.2.5. At week-ends night time noise levels were higher than evenings at 75% of sites. Noise levels at late night tended to be lower than levels during evening and night measurements (in 87% of sites).

4.2.6. Where this was not the case notes during the surveys indicate that this was primarily due to pedestrian crowds and traffic. It was also noted that significant contribution could be attributed to chatting and shouting by large groups of people and a mechanical street sweeper.

4.2.7. Late night measurements were higher in a few locations during this time span than earlier measurements. Notes showed this was due to pedestrians leaving premises and also due to large numbers of pedestrians passing through towards travel options in major roads such as Charing Cross Road and Strand.

4.2.8. At some road junctions, in addition to traffic noise, there was noise from groups of people chatting in the street outside whilst smoking before re- entering venues.

8 4.2.9. Noise as a result of traffic congestion ensured that measurements were at similar levels during the day, evening and night time.

4.2.10. Noise levels in streets with much outdoor seating were noisiest during evening and night time surveys. The fall in noise levels between night and late night measurements was significant at 5dB.

4.2.11. On comparison of noise levels from residential, entertainment, traffic and pedestrian sources the following trends were shown.

• Traffic noise, both vehicle and pedestrian, and to a much lesser extent from entertainment are the dominant noise sources in Soho, • Pedestrian noise and entertainment increases at weekends, • Non entertainment/commercial areas have the lowest noise levels and these levels reduce at weekends

4.3 Noise Sources

4.3.1 Dominant noise sources were noted as part of the surveys • Road traffic • Music from entertainment venues and public houses • Pedestrians (talking, shouting and singing) • People eating and drinking at tables and chairs • People drinking outside premises • People queuing to enter premises • Sirens • Plant noise • People stationary smoking and talking • Waste collections • People eating and drinking at tables and chairs • People drinking outside premises • Street incidents involving police intervention • Road works • Vehicle horns • Buskers • Police motorcycles

5.00 Comparisons

5.1.1 The survey in August 2003 did not use weekend daytime measurements but it is possible to compare the other results with similar time periods in 2008 both January and August.

5.1.2. Comparison of the August 2003 measurements with those of the 2008 surveys showed that 52% were higher than in 2008.

5.1.3. In 18.5% of comparable measurements noise levels were higher in January 2008 than in August 2003 or August 2008.

5.1.4. In 15.5% of measurements noise levels were higher in August 2008 than in August 2003 or January 2008.

5.1.5. In 14% of measurements noise levels were at equal levels to one of the other surveys.

5.1.6. The difference between the highest noise levels measured and the next level was in the range 0.5dB to 2dB in 48% of cases.

5.1.7. In 30% of cases the difference between the highest noise levels measured and the next level was in the range 3dB to 5dB in 48%. Such a change is likely to be noticeable to an observer.

5.1.8. In 8% of cases the difference between the highest noise levels measured and the next level was in the range 6dB to 9dB. Such a change would be noticeable to an observer and would be a likely source of complaint.

5.1.9. The quiet locations results remained similar in both 2008 surveys and thus remain lower than in the 2003 study. 5.1.8. The overall trend shown within the 2008 surveys compared with those of 2000 and 2003 is a reduction in background noise levels.

5.1.10 However, higher levels were recorded in 2008 than 2003 in some locations. This was particularly so in areas where there are many entertainment venues such as Leicester Square. Causes of higher levels in certain localities could be attributed to predictable causes. In main vehicular traffic locations common noise sources are traffic flows and congestion and in addition large volumes of pedestrians. Sirens from emergency vehicles also contributed to the overall noise climate. There were also incidents of refuse collection vehicles, including where glass was collected, which made a significant contribution to the overall noise climate.

5.1.11 Noise from entertainment venues was not greatly significant from the aspect of noise break out except where door supervision was inadequate. Where noise from customers outside public houses and entertainment venues was evident it appeared that the main purpose for resorting to the exterior was for smoking. This may have had less significance in 2003 than it did in 2008.

5.1.12. In areas where noise levels are greater at night than during the day there were some factors which would affect these. Certainly streets which are restricted to being mainly pedestrian are not affected greatly by vehicle noise but after normal working hours there is a substantial increase in pedestrian traffic and social activity in those areas. In some instances people were seen waiting in groups on roads or adjoining pavements due to road closures which added to the noise climate at this time. Vehicular traffic at night and during late night surveys includes non black cab taxis and non-motorised rickshaws which all contributed to the overall picture and background noise levels.

10 6.0 Issues for consideration on further action

6.1.1 Availability of transport information to enable visitors to select best routes to exit Soho and to select a suitable mode of transport.

6.1.2 Protection of quieter streets and areas by selection of preferred and recommended pedestrian routes for visitors.

6.1.3 Noise from queues, outside seating areas and in particular exteriors of public houses and entertainment venues which customers use for smoking

6.1.4 Noise from glass collection vehicles and operations.

6.1.5 Noise from vehicle traffic movements.

11 Soho Noise Survey Report

August 2008

Section 1 Introduction……………… 13

Section 2 Perception of noise and current guidance………... 14

Section 3 Noise Survey…………….. 16

Section 4 Results & Analysis……… 17

Section 5 Discussion……………….. 26

Section 6 References……………….. 28

Section 1 - Introduction

This survey was the second of two noise measurements conducted in conjunction with the Noise Strategy Steering Group carried out within two areas of Soho. The survey took place from 4th August to the early hours of 31stAugust 2008.

The objectives of this project are:-

• To obtain a representative indication of the current background noise levels being generated in two areas of Soho during the days, evenings and night times on certain streets.

• To provide a better understanding as to the main contributing sources of the noise monitored and to identify any trends or particular stressed areas.

• To provide a comparison of the current noise climate and the previous survey in January 2008 and also during 2003.

Section 2 – Perception of noise and current guidance

Living rooms/bedrooms 30 / 35 dB(A) Normal Conversations 60 dB(A) Heavy road traffic @ 10 metres 80 dB(A) Pneumatic Drill @ 1 metre 100 dB(A)

When trying to interpret measurements and maps for the period of weekend night, current noise guidance can be considered.

14 The most widespread effect of noise for all times of day or night is annoyance, and annoyance caused in communities by environmental noise has been thoroughly evaluated using social survey techniques. The threshold for annoyance for steady continuous noise is an external LAeq of 50dB(A), with few people becoming seriously annoyed for exposures less than 55dB(A). The number of people seriously annoyed increases between 55-60 dB(A), and increases rapidly between 60-65 dB(A) ( the thresholds for annoyance are a further 10 dB lower for night-time periods).

(2). L90 - this is the sound pressure level exceeded for 90% of the measurement period. It is widely used to measure background noise levels.

Section 3 – Noise Survey

The monitoring was divided into the following three time periods 5) Day – between 7:00 and 19:00 6) Evening – between 19:00 and 23 :00 7) Night – between 23:00 and 1:00 8) Late Night- between 01.00 and 04.00.

Monitoring was carried out on both weekdays and weekends but not on Sundays except where Saturday nights continued into early Sunday morning.

3.2 Measurements

3.3 Site Locations

East of Wardour Street West of Wardour Street 1 Cnr Wardour / Hollen Strs 1 St James Market 2 Cnr Wardour St and Meard St 2 Piccadilly Circus 3 Cnr Carlisle / Dean Strs 3 Sherwood St 4 Soho Square 4 Shaftesbury Avenue 5 Cnr Soho / Oxford Strs 5 Cnr Archer / Rupert Strs 6 Cnr Charing Cross Rd and Oxford 6 Cnr Brewer / Lexington Strs St 7 Manette St 7 Golden Square 8 Cnr Bateman / Frith Strs 8 Great Pulteney St 9 Meard St 9 Cnr Warwick / Glasshouse Sts 10 Cnr Old Compton / Dean Strs 10 Beak St 11 Cnr Old Compton / Frith Strs 11 Cnr Lexington / Broadwick Strs 12 Cambridge Circus 12 Duck Lane 13 Cnr Shaftesbury Ave / Frith St 13 Portland Mews 14 Cnr Brewer / Wardour Strs 14 Cnr Poland / D’Arblay Strs 15 Cnr Wardour / Coventry Strs 15 Marshall St 16 Leicester Square South Side 16 Newburgh St 17 Leicester Square North Side 17 Cnr Kingly / Gt. Marlborough Strs 18 Cnr Gerrard / Macclesfield Strs 18 Cnr Ramillies / Gt. Marlborough Strs 19 Bear St 19 Cnr Berwick Oxford Strs 20 Irving St 20 Oxford Circus

Soho East Sites Map

6 5

1 4

7 3

8 2

11 12 9 10

14 13

17 19

15 16

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map w ith the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Statione

18 Soho West Sites Map

18 14 13 15

16 12

6 8

10 7 5

3 9

2 Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map w ith the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (C) C

19 Section 4 – Results and Analysis

The analysis of the results that follows includes:

• a summary of the monitoring sites, • an analysis of the data including a discussion of trends, and anomalies, • a comparison of the results in relation to previous investigations.

4.1 Site Summary The following tables (table 4.1.1 and 4.1.2) are a description of the monitoring site street environment, including average LA90 for each monitoring period. It includes the identification of the main noise sources resulting from the observation notes taken during the survey.

4.1.1 Soho Survey Sites West of Wardour Street

Sites – West of Weekday Weekend Wardour Street Day Predominant noise LA90 Day Predominant noise LA90 1 D Mon Traffic 66.5 Sat Traffic, peds, siren 62.0 St James’s Market E Tues Traffic 63.0 Sat Traffic 64.0 - by Haymarket N Wed Traffic 65.0 Sat Traffic 67.0 busy traffic EN Wed Traffic, peds 60.0 Sat Traffic, club noise 69.0 2 Eros, Piccadilly D Mon Traffic, peds 66.5 Sat Peds, traffic 68.5 Circus - busy E Tues Traffic, peds 65.5 Sat Peds, traffic 68.0 intersection, lots of N Wed Traffic 68.5 Sat Traffic 68.5 people EN Wed Traffic, busker 67.0 Sat Busker, traffic 71.5 3 D Mon Traffic 67.0 Sat Traffic, peds 61.0 Sherwood St – E Tues Traffic 60.5 Sat Peds, traffic, alarm 64.0 theatre + shops N Wed Traffic 61.5 Sat Traffic, peds 67.5

EN Wed Traffic, busker 63.5 Sat Traffic, sirens 63.5 4 Cnr Denman St & D Mon Traffic, peds 67.5 Sat Traffic, peds 65.0 Shaftesbury - busy E Tues Traffic, peds 68.0 Sat Traffic, peds 67.0 road, shops, N Wed Traffic, peds 65.5 Sat Traffic, peds 67.5 people EN Wed Traffic 62.0 Sat Traffic, peds 67.0 5 D Mon Pedestrians 60.0 Sat Peds, plant 58.5 Cnr Archer & E Tues Pedestrians 63.5 Sat Street noise 66.0 Rupert – offices, N Wed Traffic, peds 61.5 Sat Traffic, peds 64.0 shops no traffic EN Wed Pedestrians 55.5 Sat Traffic, peds 61.5 6 Cnr Brewer & D Mon Traffic 66.0 Sat Peds, traffic 58.0 Lexington St – E Tues Traffic, peds 62.0 Sat Traffic, peds 62.0 busy road, pub N Wed Traffic 63.5 Sat Peds, traffic noise 61.5 opposite EN Wed Traffic 54.5 Sat Peds, traffic 60.0 7 D Mon Distant traffic 53.0 Sat Peds, wind noise 48.5 Golden Square – E Tues Plant 53.0 Sat Pedestrians 49.0 quiet park area N Wed Plant 54.5 Sat Traffic (light) 51.5 with offices around EN Wed Plant 52.5 Sat Peds, idling car 55.0 8 Gt Pulteney St – D Mon Distant traffic 53.5 Sat Pedestrians 51.0 quiet street, E Tues Patrons (pub) 58.0 Sat Taxi idling, peds 53.0 residential & N Wed Plant 50.0 Sat Traffic 51.5 offices EN Wed Traffic 52.5 Sat Plant noise, traffic 50.5 9 D Mon Traffic 65.0 Sat Peds, distant traffic 61.5 Cnr Warwick & E Tues Traffic, peds 62.5 Sat Traffic, pubs, siren 64.0 Glasshouse St – N Wed Traffic 62.0 Sat Music, traffic 67.5 busy junction, bars EN Wed Traffic, busker 59.5 Sat Traffic, music 64.5 10 Cnr Warwick & D Mon Traffic 63.0 Sat Traffic, peds, siren 62.5 Beak St – bars, E Tues Traffic, peds 62.0 Sat Noise from club 66.0 offices, busy road N Wed Traffic 60.5 Sat Music from club 66.0 EN Wed Traffic 55.0 Sat Traffic, club 63.5 11 Cnr Lexington & D Mon Traffic,siren 60.0 Sat Peds, amp music 58.0 Broadwick St – E Tues Patrons (pub) 63.5 Sat Traffic, taxis, peds 61.0 bars, busy road N Wed Peds, plant 58.0 Sat Peds, traffic 60.5 EN Wed Traffic, plant 52.5 Sat Traffic, plant 54.0

4.1.1

Sites – West of Weekday Weekend Wardour Street Day Predominant noise LA90 Day Predominant noise LA90 12 Duck Lane – no D Mon Plant, construction 60.0 Sat Plant 59.5 thru road, offices E Tues Plant 63.0 Sat Plant 59.0 with plant N Wed Plant 61.5 Sat Plant, music 59.0 servicing EN Wed Plant 59.5 Sat Plant 57.5 13 Portland Mews – D Mon Building, no traffic 49.5 Sat Drilling, peds 44.0 no traffic, offices E Tues Plant 48.5 Sat Peds 44.5 with res above, N Wed Plant, shutter 45.0 Sat Delivery vehicle 45.5 plant noise EN Wed Plant 39.5 Sat Distant voices 40.0 14 Cnr Poland & D Mon Traffic, peds 58.5 Sat Pedestrians 56.5 D’Arblay St – E Tues Traffic 63.5 Sat Traffic (queuing) 59.0 traffic, shops, N Wed Traffic 58.0 Sat People 61.5 business, bars EN Wed Traffic, plant 56.5 Sat Plant, voices 57.5 15 Cnr Marshall St & D Mon Building, peds 55.0 Sat Peds, distant plant 52.0 Fouberts Pl – E Tues Rain 54.0 Sat Pedestrians 51.0 quiet street, office N Wed Plant 49.0 Sat Peds voices 54.5 & res EN Wed Plant 47.5 Sat Plant noise 47.5 16 Newburgh St – D Mon Peds, building 57.0 Sat Peds & pub 58.0 shops & licensed E Tues Patrons (pub) 65.0 Sat Peds & pub 59.0 prems with res N Wed Plant, peds 48.0 Sat Pedestrians 51.5 above EN Wed Plant 45.0 Sat Voices, plant noise 44.5 17 Cnr Kingly & Gt D Mon Traffic, peds 61.0 Sat Traffic & peds 65.0 Marlborough St – E Tues Traffic 65.5 Sat Traffic & peds 63.5 busy traffic, shops, N Wed Traffic 62.0 Sat Traffic & peds 65.5 offices EN Wed Traffic 57.0 Sat Traffic 62.0 18 Cnr Ramilies & Gt D Mon Traffic, peds 60.0 Sat Traffic, peds 57.0 Marlboro St – E Tues Traffic 60.5 Sat Light traffic 54.5 traffic, mainly N Wed Traffic 52.5 Sat Traffic 60.0 offices/shops EN Wed Plant 47.0 Sat Light traffic 50.5 19 Cnr Berwick & D Mon Traffic, people 66.0 Sat Peds & traffic 62.5 Oxford St – E Tues Traffic 62.0 Sat Peds, traffic, horns 63.5 offices, shops, lots N Wed Pedestrians 55.0 Sat Peds, traffic 61.5 of people EN Wed Traffic 53.0 Sat Traffic, street clean 62.5 20 Oxford Circus – D Mon Traffic 67.5 Sat Peds, traffic 71.0 busy traffic E Tues Traffic, peds 70.0 Sat Peds & traffic 70.0 intersection, N Wed Traffic, peds 66.0 Sat Traffic, peds 69.0 regularly crowded EN Wed Traffic 60.0 Sat Traffic, street clean 65.0

D=daytime (0700-1900hrs) E=evening (1900-2300hrs) N=night (2300-0100hrs) EN=extended night (0100-0400hrs)

22 4.1.2 Sites East of Wardour Street.

Sites – East of Weekday Weekend Wardour Street Day Predominant noise LA90 Day Predominant noise LA90 1 D Wed Traffic, roadworks 64.0 Sat Traffic, peds 57.5 Cnr Wardour & E Tues Peds, refuse truck 61.5 Sat Traffic, music 62.0 Hollen St – shops, N Thur Traffic – diverted 57.0 Fri Traffic 62.5 offices, light traffic EN Thur Traffic (light) 53.5 Sat Traffic 56.5 2 D Wed Traffic, peds 62.5 Sat Traffic, peds 57.0 Cnr Wardour & St E Tues Traffic, peds 59.5 Sat Pedestrians 58.5 Ann’s Ct – comm. N Thur Pedestrians 59.5 Fri Pedestrians 60.0 prems, light traffic EN Thur Traffic 56.5 Sat Traffic 56.5 3 Cnr Carlisle & D Wed Peds/traffic 61.5 Sat Traffic, peds 56.0 Dean St – E Tues Peds/traffic 63.0 Sat Pedestrians 62.0 licensed prems, N Thur Closing restaurant 60.0 Fri Pub patrons 68.0 traffic, some res EN Thur Traffic 54.0 Sat Traffic 60.5 4 Soho Square – D Wed Roadworks 61.5 Sat Plant, voices 56.0 park surrounded E Tues Traffic, peds 57.0 Sat Traffic, peds 57.0 by offices & N Thur Traffic, voices 57.5 Fri Traffic, car horn 58.0 residential EN Thur Faint traffic 53.5 Sat Peds – loud shouts 54.0 5 Cnr Soho & D Wed No traffic - blocked 64.5 Sat Traffic 63.0 Oxford St – heavy E Tues Traffic, peds 65.5 Sat Traffic 65.0 traffic, people, N Thur Traffic,road blocked 65.0 Fri Traffic 67.5 licensed prems EN Thur Q at club 65.0 Sat Siren 64.5 6 Cnr Oxford St & D Wed Traffic, construction 68.5 Sat Traffic 66.5 Charing X Rd – E Tues Traffic, peds 68.0 Sat Traffic 67.0 busy junction, N Thur Traffic 67.0 Fri Traffic 70.0 commercial EN Thur Traffic 66.0 Sat Traffic – busker 68.5 7 D Wed Distant roadworks 60.0 Sat Faint traffic 51.5 Manette St – one E Tues Noise from pub 53.5 Sat Faint traffic 53.0 way st, offices, N Thur Pedestrians 57.0 Fri Faint traffic 59.5 bars, distant traffic EN Thur Q at club 57.0 Sat Faint traffic 56.0 8 Cnr Bateman & D Wed Traffic & voices 63.0 Sat Traffic, peds 57.5 Frith St – several E Tues Peds, traffic, pubs 63.5 Sat Pedestrians 65.0 licensed prems, N Thur Pedestrians 62.0 Fri Peds, shouting 71.0 busy EN Thur Traffic, peds 60.0 Sat Traffic 59.0 9 Meard St – no D Wed Peds/bldg works 56.5 Sat Faint traffic 50.0 traffic, restaurants, E Tues Peds, distant traffic 51.0 Sat Pedestrians 52.0 offices & res N Thur Pedestrians 50.5 Fri Pedestrians 54.5 above EN Thur Traffic 49.5 Sat Peds – singing 50.5 10 Cnr Old Compton D Wed Traffic, construction 61.5 Sat Pedestrians 59.0 & Dean St – busy E Tues Traffic, street clean 66.0 Sat Traffic 65.5 area with licensed N Thur Traffic 63.5 Fri Traffic 67.0 prems EN Thur Pedestrians 56.5 Sat Traffic 62.0 11 Cnr Old Compton D Wed Peds, siren 64.0 Sat Pedestrians 62.5 & Frith St – very E Tues Traffic, peds 63.0 Sat Traffic, peds 67.0 busy area, lots of N Thur Traffic, music 65.0 Fri Traffic, peds 68.5 nightlife EN Thur Traffic 61.5 Sat Traffic 63.0

23 4.1.2 Sites East of Wardour Street

Sites – East of Weekday Weekend Wardour Street Day Predominant noise LA90 Day Predominant noise LA90 12 D Wed Traffic, peds 67.5 Sat Traffic 63.5 Cambridge Circus E Tues Traffic, peds, siren 63.5 Sat Traffic 65.5 – busy junction, N Thur Traffic 64.5 Fri Traffic 71.0 bars & theatre EN Thur Traffic, horns 64.0 Sat Traffic 66.5 13 Cnr Shaftesbury D Wed Traffic, roadworks 71.0 Sat Traffic 64.5 Ave & Frith St – E Tues Traffic (buses) 64.5 Sat Traffic 64.5 heavy traffic, N Thur Traffic, pedestrians 64.0 Fri Traffic 67.5 comm. prems EN Thur Traffic (diverted) 63.5 Sat Traffic 66.0 14 Cnr Brewer & D Wed Light traffic, peds 62.5 Sat Pedestrians 59.5 Wardour St – E Tues Peds, traffic 67.0 Sat Music, peds 68.0 licensed prems N Thur Traffic, peds 70.0 Fri Peds – shoutng 71.0 very busy EN Thur Pedestrians 65.0 Sat Patrons at club 69.5 15 Cnr Wardour & D Wed Traffic, construction 70.0 Sat Traffic, peds 64.5 Coventry St – E Tues Traffic, peds, plant 65.0 Sat Pedestrians 67.0 busy traffic & N Thur Traffic, peds 67.5 Fri Traffic 71.0 pedestrians EN Thur Traffic, horns 64.0 Sat Traffic – car stereo 69.5 16 D Wed Refuse truck, hoist 65.0 Sat Pedestrians 62.0 Leicester Sq south E Tues Peds, plant 60.0 Sat Voices 65.5 side – bars, clubs, N Thur Peds, shouting 66.0 Fri Event – music 68.5 pedestrianised EN Thur Pedestrians 60.0 Sat Event – crowd 63.5 17 D Wed Construction 65.0 Sat Pedestrians 62.0 Leicester Sq north E Tues Plant, peds, siren 63.0 Sat Pedestrians 66.0 side – bars, clubs, N Thur Pedestrians 68.0 Fri Event – music 78.0 pedestrianised EN Thur Siren 64.5 Sat Event – crowd 70.5 18 Cnr Gerrard & D Wed Pedestrians 64.5 Sat Plant, refuse truck 66.0 Macclesfield St – E Tues Peds, distant traffic 66.0 Sat Plant, peds 67.0 free of traffic, N Thur Plant noise 62.5 Fri Plant 64.5 restaurants EN Thur Plant 59.5 Sat Plant 62.0 19 Bear St – D Wed Pedestrians 62.5 Sat Plant, traffic, music 62.0 pedestrians only, E Tues Pub, traffic (buses) 68.0 Sat Peds, voices 68.0 licensed prems, N Thur Club – music noise 70.0 Fri Traffic, peds 70.0 crowded area EN Thur Club – patrons 66.5 Sat Traffic, sirens 66.0 20 D Wed Horn, hammering 60.5 Sat Pedestrians 60.5 Irving St – edge of E Tues Peds, plant, traffic 61.0 Sat Pedestrians 65.5 Leicester Sq, busy N Thur Pedestrians 63.0 Fri Traffic, peds 67.5 with bars & people EN Thur Faint traffic 58.0 Sat Traffic 70.5

D=daytime (0700-1900hrs) E=evening (1900-2300hrs) N=night (2300-0100hrs) EN=extended night (0100-0400hrs)

4.2 Data & Analysis

Three hundred and twenty 5-minute measurements of LAeq and LA90 were taken during eight monitoring periods (weekday daytime, evening, nights and late nights and weekend day-time, evening, night and late nights) at forty monitoring sites. The late night measurement period (01.00 to 04.00 hours) was added for the August survey as requested at a presentation of the January survey to the Soho Steering Group.

4.2.1 Trends

Please refer to the following graphs.

4.2.2 Overall, noise levels during evenings and nights at weekends were noisier than weekdays during the same measurement periods. (62.5% of sites).

4.2.3. At sites where this was not the case in the evening, noise was due to pedestrian traffic (presumably office workers) and weekday evening traffic.

4.2.4. Measurements of quiet areas in Duck Lane and Portland Mews were inconsistent with the trend on this where noise levels were higher on weekday days rather than night time. However, these site surveys provided a useful baseline showing noise levels at night for weekdays were lower than noise levels during the day and weekends rose compared to days and fell sharply at late night. The quieter areas gave the lowest figures and these would be more greatly affected by one off anomalies (e.g. shouts, car horns) but these did not greatly occur.

4.2.5. Monitoring has shown that during the week daytime noise levels were usually greater or equal to that of evening noise (67.5% of sites). Weekday evening noise levels were higher than those at night time and those at late night (62.5% of sites: 10% were at equal noise levels).

4.2.6. At week-ends night time noise levels were higher than evenings at 75% of sites. Noise levels at late night tended to be lower than levels during evening and night measurements (in 87% of sites).

4.2.7. However, there were cases where this is not true. The areas around Leicester Square, including the Bear St monitoring site and at the junction with Charing Cross Road were noisiest at night and late night. Notes taken at the time indicate that this was primarily due to pedestrian crowds and traffic.

4.2.8. Crowds within Bear Street were associated with an entertainment venue where entrance doors were pushed open and music could be heard. Traffic in some areas had been held waiting by road-works with the result that horns were sounded.

25 4.2.9. In Leicester Square on the North side this was due to large groups of people chatting and shouting. A specific noise source in Leicester Square involving use of a balcony and a street sweeper could be discerned against the overall background.

4.2.10. Late night measurements at Irving Street were higher than at night and records show this was due to pedestrians leaving premises but remaining outside until ushered away. There were also large numbers of pedestrians passing through Irving Street from Leicester Square towards travel opportunities in Charing Cross Road and Strand.

4.2.11. On the junction of Wardour Street and Brewer Street in addition to traffic noise there was noise from groups of people outside venues smoking before re-entering.

4.2.12. Measurements at the corner of Great Marlborough St and Kingly St tended to be similarly noisy during day, evening and night time due to traffic congestion on Regent St and pedestrian traffic.

4.2.13. Old Compton Street was noisiest during evening and night. The fall in noise levels between night and late night measurements was notable. Old Compton St tends to have a great deal of pedestrian traffic and there are many cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating which contributed significantly to the noise climate. When these had closed the fall in noise levels was significant at 5dB.

4.2.14. On comparison of noise levels from residential, entertainment, traffic and pedestrian sources the following trends were shown.

• Traffic noise, both vehicle and pedestrian, and from entertainment are the dominant noise sources in Soho, • Pedestrian noise and entertainment increases at weekends, • Non entertainment/commercial areas have the lowest noise levels and these levels reduce at weekends

26 Section 5 - Discussion

5.00 Comparisons

5.1.1 Comparison with the January 2008 survey shows surprisingly similar levels to those obtained in August 2008 in many measurement locations.

5.1.2. In 47.1% of comparable measurements noise levels were higher in January than in August 2008.

5.1.3. In 46.7% of measurements noise levels were higher in August than in January 2008. 6.25% of measurements were equal in January and August 2008.

5.1.4. Most of the increases in noise levels January to August 2008 were small and in the range of 0.5 to 2 dB. (66.4%). Such increases would not usually be discernable to an observer.

5.1.5. 22.4% of increased noise levels between January and August were in the range 3dB to 5dB. These are likely to be noticeable to an observer.

5.1.6. 11.2% of increased noise levels were between 6dB and 9dB which would be noticed and may be sources of complaint.

5.1.7. Where the comparison showed a reduction in measured noise levels from the January 2008 survey with those obtained in August 2008 most of the decreases were small and in the range of 0.5 to 2 dB. (56.7%). Such increases would not usually be discernable to an observer. 34.2% of reduced levels were in the range 3 to 5dB which would be noticed by observers. 9.01% were in the range 6 to 9% which would be clear to most observers.

5.1.8. The quiet locations results remained similar to the measurements in January and thus remain lower than in the 2003 study. The overall trend shown within this survey compared with those of 2000 and 2003 is a reduction in background noise levels. However, there are some locations where higher levels were recorded. This was particularly so in Leicester Square where there were particular incidents and certain locations where traffic (pedestrian and vehicular) was a major factor.

In most instances the values recorded can be attributed to predictable causes. Common noise sources are traffic flows and congestion, volume of pedestrians, and to lesser extent breakout from entertainment venues. There were also incidents of refuse collection vehicles, particularly where glass was collected (Poland and D’Arblay Streets), and sirens from emergency vehicles which contributed to the overall noise climate.

5.1.9. As described in 4.2.8 above Leicester Square is one area where noise levels are greater at night than during the day. This is due to an increase in

27 pedestrian traffic, street cleaning and social activity in the area after working hours.

Other areas that are relatively noisy at night include Old Compton Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Oxford St, Piccadilly Circus, and Brewer St. In Old Compton Street elevated noise levels were due to customers leaving and the arrival of police motor-cycles. In Piccadilly Circus and Brewer Street west there was also amplified music from buskers. It was noticeable that significant groups of people were remaining outside premises, such as entertainment venues, to smoke whilst waiting to enter or re-enter. This was notable on the corner of Bateman and Frith Streets where a very large group of people were shouting whilst waiting outside a venue. Due to road closures people were seen waiting in groups on roads or adjoining pavements. Vehicular traffic at night and during late night surveys includes non black cab taxis and rickshaws which all contributed to the overall picture and background noise levels.

5.2. Anomalies

Short-term measurements can produce anomalies due to high-energy noise events, e.g. shouting, car doors slamming, and cars with noisy radios passing by. Sites most affected by “noise incidents” in the 5-minute snap shot were the quieter residential areas. Sites which were least affected were dominated by traffic noise.

All weather was clear and fine. Some proposed dates for monitoring were cancelled where rain or high winds were predicted or had commenced. Dates were then re-arranged accordingly within the same month. One set of readings was abandoned due to a street incident and was repeated on another night.

Section 6 - References

1. Community Noise, World Health Organisation, April 2000.

2. Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas, British Standard 4142: 1997.

3. Planning and Noise, Planning Policy Guidance 24, September 1994.

Soho Noise Survey August 2008 - West Sites Weekend Background Noise (LA90) Results

75.0

70.0

65.0

60.0

dB(A) 55.0 Daytime Evening Night 50.0 Extended Night

45.0

40.0

35.0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011121314151617181920 Site

Soho Noise Survey August 2008 - West Sites Weekday Background Noise (LA90) Results

70.0

65.0

60.0

55.0

dB Daytime Evening 50.0 Night Extended Night

45.0

40.0

35.0 1234567891011121314151617181920 Site Number

Soho Noise Survey August 2008 - East Sites Weekend Background Noise (LA90) Results

80.0

75.0

70.0

65.0

dB(A) 60.0 Daytime Evening Night 55.0 Extended Night

50.0

45.0

40.0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011121314151617181920 Site

Soho Noise Survey August 2008 - East Sites Weekday Background Noise (LA90) Results

75.0

70.0

65.0

60.0

dB Daytime Evening 55.0 Night Extended Night

50.0

45.0

40.0 1234567891011121314151617181920 Site Number

Extended Extended Extended Extended Extended Extended Evening Evening Evening Evening Night Night Night Night Night Night Night Night Day Day Day Day Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekday Weekday Weekday Weekday Weekday Weekday Weekday Weekday

Full LAeq LA90 LAeq LA90 LAeq LA90 LAeq LA90 LAeq LA90 LAeq LA90 LAeq LA90 LAeq LA90 Site Zone name Northings Eastings 1 West 1 W est 529687 180602 70.1 66.5 69.4 63.0 72.5 65.0 69.4 60.0 71.4 62.0 69.8 64.0 71.5 67.0 75.3 69.0 2 West 2 W est 529580 180657 71.0 66.5 71.9 65.5 72.7 68.5 72.0 67.0 76.1 68.5 70.8 68.0 73.4 68.5 76.0 71.5 3 West 3 W est 529491 180693 69.9 67.0 66.9 60.5 66.7 61.5 69.0 63.5 67.3 61.0 68.2 64.0 72.7 67.5 72.3 63.5 4 West 4 W est 529586 180759 72.6 67.5 73.2 68.0 71.8 65.5 70.6 62.0 70.0 65.0 73.2 67.0 81.0 67.5 71.7 67.0 5 West 5 W est 529628 180859 64.4 60.0 68.5 63.5 67.6 61.5 59.7 55.5 66.8 58.5 69.2 66.0 69.2 64.0 68.8 61.5 6 West 6 W est 529517 180872 73.4 66.0 69.3 62.0 75.3 63.5 64.0 54.5 65.3 58.0 71.7 62.0 67.7 61.5 68.5 60.0 7 West 7 W est 529349 180846 57.4 53.0 58.3 53.0 61.8 54.5 57.4 52.5 53.9 48.5 52.0 49.0 57.5 51.5 57.1 55.0 8 West 8 W est 529450 180889 60.0 53.5 63.2 58.0 62.1 50.0 53.4 52.5 57.8 51.0 60.4 53.0 64.4 51.5 56.1 50.5 9 West 9 W est 529354 180679 70.8 65.0 69.7 62.5 69.3 62.0 71.0 59.5 67.6 61.5 74.6 64.0 72.9 67.5 70.5 64.5 10 West 10 W est 529263 180843 67.3 63.0 67.6 62.0 67.6 60.5 63.5 55.0 70.2 62.5 69.3 66.0 71.4 66.0 68.0 63.5 11 West 11 W est 529405 181026 66.3 60.0 67.0 63.5 62.0 58.0 62.3 52.5 64.1 58.0 65.8 61.0 66.4 60.5 63.3 54.0 12 West 12 W est 529534 181092 64.6 60.0 65.0 63.0 63.5 61.5 62.0 59.5 61.0 59.5 60.5 59.0 61.4 59.0 60.6 57.5 13 West 13 W est 529431 181137 53.7 49.0 52.9 48.5 50.0 45.0 42.4 39.5 52.0 44.0 54.5 44.5 49.2 45.5 44.7 40.0 14 West 14 W est 529391 181132 65.4 58.5 68.5 63.5 62.1 58.0 62.5 56.5 63.0 56.5 63.5 59.0 65.8 61.5 66.4 57.5 15 West 15 W est 529276 181083 60.3 55.0 56.8 54.0 51.7 49.0 50.0 47.5 54.0 52.0 59.4 51.0 65.9 54.5 50.3 47.5 16 West 16 W est 529256 181052 62.1 57.0 68.8 65.0 51.7 48.0 47.0 45.0 61.7 58.0 63.3 59.0 58.3 51.5 54.3 44.5 17 West 17 W est 529160 181070 67.8 61.0 71.8 65.5 68.5 62.0 63.0 57.0 68.8 65.0 67.4 63.5 73.2 65.5 68.2 62.0 18 West 18 W est 529250 181141 68.4 60.0 71.1 60.5 64.6 52.5 58.8 47.0 66.7 57.0 65.9 54.5 68.3 60.0 64.3 50.5 19 West 19 W est 529380 181304 73.1 66.0 69.2 62.0 64.5 55.0 61.5 53.0 68.0 62.5 68.6 63.5 68.9 61.5 70.5 62.5 20 West 20 W est 529027 181240 71.8 67.5 74.9 70.0 74.6 66.0 68.0 60.0 75.3 71.0 78.6 70.0 75.5 69.0 71.2 65.0 1 East 1 East 529481 181264 70.6 64.0 69.5 61.5 64.0 57.0 63.1 53.5 67.7 57.5 68.3 62.0 67.3 62.5 63.1 56.5 2 East 2 East 529546 181136 68.2 62.5 65.6 59.5 65.6 59.5 63.3 56.5 63.9 57.0 62.8 58.5 67.4 60.0 65.9 56.5 3 East 3 East 529598 181218 65.8 61.5 70.7 63.0 65.6 60.0 58.1 54.0 61.4 56.0 65.6 62.0 72.1 68.0 63.4 60.5 4 East 4 East 529694 181250 63.4 61.5 61.0 57.0 62.1 57.5 62.1 53.5 59.6 56.0 61.2 57.0 62.0 58.0 60.6 54.0 5 East 5 East 529657 181341 71.2 64.5 71.6 65.5 69.2 65.0 69.0 65.0 69.1 63.0 70.7 65.0 71.2 67.5 79.5 64.5 6 East 6 East 529808 181366 72.9 68.5 71.6 68.0 71.3 67.0 70.4 66.0 75.4 66.5 70.8 67.0 72.9 70.0 74.2 68.5 7 East 7 East 529802 181196 66.0 60.0 58.3 53.5 63.8 57.0 60.9 57.0 55.4 51.5 57.8 53.0 63.7 59.5 59.6 56.0 8 East 8 East 529713 181112 68.1 63.0 66.1 63.5 66.6 62.0 63.8 60.0 69.5 57.5 68.8 65.0 72.7 71.0 63.9 59.0 9 East 9 East 529647 181022 62.7 56.5 56.5 51.0 54.5 50.5 53.7 49.5 56.3 50.0 54.2 52.0 57.4 54.5 58.0 50.5 10 East 10 East 529705 180991 67.6 61.5 69.4 66.0 68.0 63.5 61.4 56.5 63.5 59.0 69.6 65.5 72.0 67.0 67.8 62.0 11 East 11 East 529755 181025 67.3 64.0 68.5 63.0 68.7 65.0 66.3 61.5 66.4 62.5 71.2 67.0 71.6 68.5 68.9 63.0 12 East 12 East 529902 181038 71.9 67.5 82.3 63.5 73.4 64.5 72.2 65.0 68.9 63.5 71.6 65.5 74.1 71.0 72.4 66.5 13 East 13 East 529793 180944 74.7 71.0 70.3 64.5 67.3 64.0 66.9 63.5 72.3 64.5 71.7 64.5 69.8 67.5 70.4 66.0 14 East 14 East 529623 180935 70.4 62.5 69.8 67.0 77.5 70.0 69.0 65.0 66.8 59.5 70.6 68.0 73.0 71.0 72.6 69.5 15 East 15 East 529744 180718 73.2 70.0 68.1 65.0 70.8 67.5 69.2 64.0 68.8 64.5 70.6 67.0 73.6 71.0 74.2 69.5 16 East 16 East 529865 180663 70.5 65.0 61.9 60.0 69.0 66.0 61.8 60.0 64.2 62.0 68.2 65.5 71.6 68.5 65.3 63.5 17 East 17 East 529842 180753 68.4 65.0 64.7 63.0 71.0 68.0 71.2 64.5 65.0 62.0 69.2 66.0 80.3 78.0 73.2 70.5 18 East 18 East 529780 180863 70.6 64.5 68.0 66.0 63.9 62.5 61.7 59.5 70.8 66.0 69.6 67.0 67.2 64.5 64.5 62.0 19 East 19 East 529944 180778 64.4 62.5 72.7 68.0 72.6 70.0 70.2 66.5 64.9 62.0 71.4 68.0 73.0 70.0 75.6 66.0 20 East 20 East 529932 180666 70.4 60.5 63.5 61.0 65.5 63.0 61.7 58.0 63.7 60.5 68.8 65.5 69.5 67.5 76.5 70.5

Soho Noise Survey Report

January 2008

Section 1 Introduction…………...... 33

Section 2 Perception of noise and current guidance……….. 34

Section 3 Noise Survey……………. 36

Section 4 Results & Analysis…….. 40

Section 5 Discussion………………. 45

Section 6 References………………. 46

32 Section 1 - Introduction

This survey of noise measurements was conducted in conjunction with the Noise Strategy Steering Group and is the first of two surveys to be carried out within two areas of Soho. The survey took place from 21st January to the 27th January 2008. A further survey will be carried out during August 2008 to provide information during summer. The surveys will be compared with similar surveys taken in 2000-2001 and 2003.

The objectives of this project are:-

• To obtain a representative indication of the current background noise levels being generated in two areas of Soho during the days, evenings and night times on certain streets.

• To provide a better understanding as to the main contributing sources of the noise monitored and to identify any trends or particular stressed areas.

• To provide a comparison of the current noise climate and two previous surveys.

33 Section 2 – Perception of noise and current guidance

Living rooms/bedrooms 30 / 35 dB(A) Normal Conversations 60 dB(A) Heavy road traffic @ 10 metres 80 dB(A) Pneumatic Drill @ 1 metre 100 dB(A)

When trying to interpret measurements and maps for the period of weekend night, current noise guidance can be considered.

The most widespread effect of noise for all times of day or night is annoyance, and annoyance caused in communities by environmental noise has been

34 thoroughly evaluated using social survey techniques. The threshold for annoyance for steady continuous noise is an external LAeq of 50dB(A), with few people becoming seriously annoyed for exposures less than 55dB(A). The number of people seriously annoyed increases between 55-60 dB(A), and increases rapidly between 60-65 dB(A) ( the thresholds for annoyance are a further 10 dB lower for night-time periods).

(2). L90 - this is the sound pressure level exceeded for 90% of the measurement period. It is widely used to measure background noise levels.

35 Section 3 – Noise Survey

The monitoring was divided into the following three time periods 9) Day – between 7:00 and 19:00 10) Evening – between 19:00 and 23 :00 11) Night – between 23:00 and 1:00

Monitoring was carried out on both weekdays and weekends but not on Sundays.

3.2 Measurements

36 3.3 Site Locations

37 Soho East Sites Map

6 5

1 4

7 3

8 2

11 12 9 10

14 13

17 19

15 16

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map w ith the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Statione

38 Soho West Sites Map

18 14 13 15

16 12

6 8

10 7 5

3 9

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map w ith the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery

Section 4 – Results and Analysis

The analysis of the results that follows includes:

• a summary of the monitoring sites, • an analysis of the data including a discussion of trends, and anomalies, • a comparison of the results in relation to previous investigations.

4.1 Site Summary The following table (table 4.1.1) is a description of the monitoring site street environment, including average LA90 for each monitoring period. It includes the identification of the main noise sources resulting from the observation notes taken during the survey.

40 Table 4.1.1

42 4.2 Data & Analysis

Two hundred and forty 5-minute measurements of LAeq and LA90 were taken during six monitoring periods (weekday daytime, evening and nights and weekend day-time, evening and nights) at forty monitoring sites.

4.2.1 Trends

Please refer to the following graphs. Overall, weekends were noisier than weekdays both during evenings and nights. At sites where this was not the case in the evening, noise was due to pedestrian traffic (presumably office workers) and weekday evening traffic. Measurements of some quieter areas at night were inconsistent with the general trends. Quieter areas are more greatly affected by one off anomalies (e.g. shouts, car horns) especially at night.

Monitoring has shown that during the week, daytime noise levels were usually greater than evening noise, and noise levels at night tended to be the lowest. However, there were cases where this is not true. The areas around Leicester Square, including the Bear St monitoring site and on Oxford St near the top of Soho Square were noisiest at night. Notes taken at the time indicate that this was primarily due to pedestrian crowds.

The corner of Great Marlborough St and Kingly St tended to be noisiest in the evening because of traffic congestion on Regent St and pedestrian traffic (presumably office workers). Old Compton St was noisiest in the evening, and was louder at night than during the day. Old Compton St tends to have a lot of pedestrian traffic and there are many café and restaurants with outdoor seating.

On comparison of noise levels from residential, entertainment, traffic and pedestrian sources the following trends were shown (refer to graph below):

• Entertainment and traffic noise are the dominant noise sources in Soho, • Entertainment and pedestrian noise increases on the weekend, • Non entertainment/commercial areas have the lowest noise levels and these levels reduce at weekends

4.2.2 Comparisons

Comparisons have been compiled by use of graphs with previous surveys in 2000-2001 and 2003. The 2000-2001 survey used LAeq readings and therefore the same units are used from the 2008 survey for comparison. The 2000-2001 survey also used fewer measurement sites (twenty two) than in 2003 and 2008. The survey was conducted during daytime, evening and at night (during similar times) but weekends were not specifically measured. However, these sites were clearly identifiable and may be compared with the sites used in 2008.

The 2003 survey used LA 90 readings and measurements were taken at forty sites which were identical to the sites in this year’s survey. The measurements were taken day-time, evening and night-time during weekdays and also were taken at evening and night-time during weekends. Both LA90 and LAeq have been taken for the January 2008 readings and will also be taken in August 2008.

It should be noted that acoustic assessments submitted with planning applications for external plant use LAeq and LA90 measurements. This is because LAeq unit measurements are used in WHO guidelines for acceptable noise levels. Surveys will demonstrate whether the locality is above or below these guidelines. The LA 90 unit is used to show the lowest background noise level recorded and this figure is used to establish acceptable noise criteria for new plant.

As will be realised from this the 2008 readings can be compared with those from the 2003 survey for the same sites at all at measurement periods save for day-time weekends.

The overall trend shown within this survey compared with those of 2000 is a reduction in background noise levels although there are some locations where higher levels were recorded. The levels were however, in all but one case, less than 3dB. The trend is similar when comparing 2003 with the survey in Soho East for 2008 and also for Soho West 2008 weekdays and weekend evenings. It was notable that Soho West during the weekend night survey there were slightly more measurements higher than 2003. This was predominantly due to heavy traffic in certain measurement locations and sporadic noise in relation to these conditions.

4.2.3 Anomalies

All weather was clear and fine except for two sets of measurements which were repeated. Readings tended to be slightly lower when compared with measurements taken in warmer weather conditions.

4.3 Previous Monitoring

A noise survey was conducted over July 2000 - February 2001 of 22 sites in Soho. This survey however used different monitoring periods of midday (11am-2pm), afternoon (2pm-5pm), and evening (5pm-9pm). Many monitoring sites were similar to the current survey.

44 Section 5 - Discussion

The data in this study has demonstrated that noise levels in Soho are in excess of those identified as ideal by the World Health Organisation Document for Community Noise (April 2000) and the paper produced by the European Commission in 1993 entitled “Towards a Future Noise Policy”.

Leicester Square is one area that is several decibels louder at night than during the day. This is due to an increase in pedestrian traffic, road-works and social activity in the area after working hours. Other areas that are relatively noisy at night include Old Compton St, Shaftesbury Avenue, Oxford St, Piccadilly Circus, and Brewer St. There was a particular situation with roadworks (including a crane) which affected results due to increased traffic.

Spot measurements, used in the survey, give levels that are present at the time of monitoring. They are not the ‘average’. Longer-term measurements are required to determine 'an average range’, e.g., 60-65dB(A). However they do give a useful pointer to potential problem areas and support to general assumptions about the impact of noise as a stress factor in the area. Premises specific evidence will require on monitoring for extended periods supported by noise incident data to corroborate the results.

It is essential to realise that this is the first such survey in 2008 and that a further survey will take place in August and which will provide interesting comparisons with this survey in winter and the summer and the previous studies.

Section 6 - References

4. Community Noise, World Health Organisation, April 2000.

5. Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas, British Standard 4142: 1997.

6. Planning and Noise, Planning Policy Guidance 24, September 1994.

Soho Mapping Project 2000 – Site Map

7 2

t o

5 70 B 25 PH

M 9 1

26 1 12

6 a PH B M t

4 2 o

9 5 5 5

5 2

8 .6 1 9 25.1m f )

2 2

1 WestEnd 2 o

0 m 2 e

2 PH 14 Hos t el 1 6 D s

4 2 25.5m 0 1 r

3 1 2 1 Medical 1 8 LB 24 F u

9 1

to 3 5 n 3 c o

7 25.7m 2 8 0 (

22 37

Centre 1

18 T

90 S h

22 ET t e 23 1 8

1 RE B H 1 8 2 ST 4 -in a o O 1 l

1 L 4 T - r u R 1 22 Playgr ound al 1 86

OE EE E S na s A 2 9 2

44 36 75

E N T R R 1 o b e N 1 6 W

AC R 1 T E S U A h a o G 1 l E 1 8

PL a 1 C 17 I SL Q o s f 23.5m o i ta U 4

1a 2 ES R m 67 6 0 T B R L 1 S . 3m E t p

L L I A 1 il r 20 EE CA 1 O 2 5 Y 7 s N 1 8

MI M t lie n c e TR H D 1 7 Pos t 6 o 2 2a 27

R A I o s La t 1 S O 1 H E 1

L 2 o ur 9 PH ON S 16 V 8

L H C AT 35 1 12

IE o 1 ER 20 se A 7

8 S u PH LB SH 1 4 # 2 u

1 89

1 s Chapel o

6 S e 3 2 P l H

29 1 T H 1 1 4 t 5 l R TCBs 4 3 (Pr ivat e) S 2 re

E 1 ft to d

E B Bank ET 1 r o 1 e n

t o 5 18

T 2 E 2 RE lit c P Y 64

1 30

6 1 D ST F 7

R o E T E 1 R

7 3

o t

W ET 9 1 U

t 1

t o 4 I 0 A AN 8 1

3 1

3 C 7 1 N 1 M B

K S 4 1 3 o D S

9 S T t e

T R 3 f E

72 7

R 1 T 2 T

7 1 8

E 1 1 h l

2 3 E 1 E 5 16 e 1 F a

E T A to A i t

15 T 69 r 's C lc S p y)

1 B a te a 8 T 5 1 H os g

7 86 5

a ld be H 1 z G 1 S H lo

t 9 G o 1 ar I o

em 5 s e A 4 L E r y r

1 t o 60

1 8 1 1 Ho u R S u U

4 4 2 5 a PH b f 1

5 9 6

24.9m 2 8 t n 1 I Phoenix Theat r e PA e s o

o 's 7 1 N S ft te

6 5

2 B 1 1 S a u 3 1 0 u t G A h tit T 7 1 i o G S s

EE 26 ld 8 1 S E e In

10 1 TR in C 10 T h (

3 S 7 g A T

29 7 5

1 AY 1 s R C

6 5 5

2 BL O 1 10 E AR 16 W s Y T

1 3 D' A 25 S s t E

R 1 t o P o S E 1 14

D 1 2 S 1 T R 6

4 3 8 to 0 R T

to 3

P 1 1 3 O 5 2 4 E 2 S

7 46 6

O 1 6 15 5 U R E 1 N 16

17 4

45 1 a 3 R TCP O to T

0 L 7 4 M TO

A 1 7 4 A 1 E T P

09 7

N 0 1 6 E 4 5 Theat r e 1 WS 1 RE TCBs

3 23

1 4

tes' D a W 1 M E D 0 T M 18 2

S S C 5 D X S SM O

T 1 2 1 H 1 2 O O NI C

urt R 0 e 8 t P A W E

5 ous 1 2 o L P G E HO W

2 o t

8 E n H 1 5 A O 2 ED P E G

5 0 2 16

18 4 E 2 0 r t r io C N 5 12 W 1 N o T 9 4 6

4 t o e 20T 2 o u Cla E E . C w E a

1 le g 20 1 0 6 's C 0m e e E

Bs Col .5 n e 81 n s Ci n e ma r S R 1 8

TC o n ic 12 1 7 A n t s t 22.6m M t T

n d u s 7 1 6 St C ra Po e re S

5 t

L o o f M 7 o l m e t

1 9

20 53 a ll S H

# a Ch or

16 61 1 n e t 9 a ia T

9 W G 3a d g M 14 p l

4 11 8 A B 1 5 R e a el U

R M D o r to O

T to 3 D 1 8 2 2 E e f t 1 5 M

EE 9 0 O 2 2 8 E s A in 0 3 1

19 TR 1 N D 25 1 3 2 K 1 ig r 's 2 1 N 1 20 H S . 9m 5 LA U .4 2 2 2 S 4 n t O

2 U G 2 4 T R 2 t T

O O R S M m 80 o 2 1 R M

OR P W 7 GS 2 l

RL B ME 80 2 E # 1 DI N 5 R 2 9 E e

3 4

A 9 W 2 U IL 14 O 19 E t

2 4

22 T M 2 S 211 4 B T 1 1 o 4

EA Ca r Park 8 26 N D M Y 00 6

GR 2 45 MO E A 2 0 TCBs H

81 1

4 7 I CH W L 8

6 13 R T 5 F

3 W S Y R 1 n

2 1 I T 0 e

9 7

LB 5 A 2 2 H TCBs t

3 R PH t

39 3

4 o

5 D S 23.6m a

1 O 8 T b

1 o t

St Gi le sHous e 6 U 1 56 R t

1 62 82 R 1 8 2 E

3 2 1 6 E m n 03

8 3 4 S 2 0 t T T b 9 . 7 u 1

2 T k o EE C lu 6 2

3 5 R r P 2 TR 2 1 o

6 2

7 3 6 24.8m E PH Ca 9 S

's 8 8 E 1 1 8 AN M

PC 54 ET T 1 6 T M k E

14 60 5

t RE 8 N C H TE 1 a l U

4 ST 1 0 A P A Ba nk 8 01 W

S Garage t o I A 2 XM B 1 o n N P

h PH 7 N 4 1 2 T L A 1 7 a xt 4 E P

g I VO EE F 1 1 C 5 P

u L TR 1 1 V 8 P

o 1 4 S 4 to 47 5 A

r CK 7 PH 12 1

o 1 85 2 1 6 WI 3 13 Y 6

lb to 3 D 1 1 0 55 2 to R 0 r 10 OA 12 G 9 1

a 3 4 5 7a 4 BR r 4 2 U 19 P

M 4 5 1 ee 1 B 1 t o

4 1 4 3 1 3 k S se

1 1

4 5 1

Gr e a t 1 1 PH H o u P 1 5

o 1 R C 9 E l h am

2 t

C 57 # 0 Bank t 2 T Ear 3

9 it 5 IC 2 F t o 2

t o 3 y 3 H 5 3 1 1 7

33 o 1 8 1 1 M 2 A

4 1

CE f 0 4 H

8 4 a

PLA W Car Park 2 1 8 O 5 Sev en Dials

33 32 3 1 T'S e 1 58 2 N o S

9 26

BE R s to 1 D t P

2 9 FOU t 24 PH 0 1 1 2 9 EET P

6 4 5

m 2 59 0 t o 6 M 7 S TR

in 0 2 E HA M P

4 s W ARL P

2 3

te D 99 5 E

26 0 3

Pos t s r U 1 s S 7 2

4 2

2 5 32 D 9 2 6 C 04 o rk 3 2 3 1 to 15

1 t

St w K W 3 t 8

4 4 2

o o 4 1

t el 1 ot 25 L 2

c e 5 li A 4

11 8

7 2

3 1 la ng N 3 5 8

s P s E 3 a 9 4

3 rt' Sandr ingham 3 a g 6

2 3

0 b e 1 10 2 0 n 3

o u 0 Court 1 2 4 1 5 T i

11 6

F 5 o 1 TREE ld to

t 3 M S e

7 4 93 RLHA 2 i Co u r t 0

PO 2 e EA F 3

7 1

12 29 nc 12

34 Po s t s r i 33 Leiur s e Centre PH to PCs P r d 17 2

2 1 9 3 a PH LB 3

PH 3 1 a 3 Ho us e 7 6 5 w T O 1 2 t o 8

1 63 Br o ad wic k d Un W

Car 1 E r e 23.9m d

1 5 Broadwi ck 3 2 t MO OR STR EET E R 1 0

N 4 Par k 1 6 7 1 ea

E t 6 4 h S T 5

2 1 W o 3a H ouse 8 T R 38 3 1110

2 1 6 t e 2 E

7 32 2 4

B 6 T C r a g 9 3 1 E

6 2

U E p' s G a 6 227 a ET PH T 9 6

rt R M E e m B 2 E

3 o u G A D 4 2 K E 46 T R 6 TCBs R 22

a C H R U S T H 90 R 25.0m S 2

3 t

2 8 e s S F O t W 9 3 2 N 5 0 5

3 9

C d S H O C K C 0 8 2 O (PH) 39 PH PH 4 7

20 # 0

a r 2 n T U I P p' s IC 1 PT to PC

15 1

n 8 o w R A R W K e m PH K 1 B 3 0 M # 7 2 rt 4 3 1

a L E L ' D IN K M 2 CO 3 to 2 u

31 to 4

b y E 37 L S A S S 1 2 3 a D 3 8 o 5

S T S P 4 8 O T to s 2 2 L C 9

2 3 7

to 6

t T 1 2 L BR S R 1 io n 226 O 36 b

re 2 R 1 7 A T Pos t s E n s .0 7 3 6 er

35 e 7 4 E C R E Ma 2 3 4 C

t E to E E 24.5m T 1 lt y m R w 6

t 2 T E 2 y a T CAM BRI DGE o 1 33 7 3 h C Tr enchard House T Ro 6 D S b 2 3 4 T

u g 4 I AR 3 4 8

r o 24.0m N 14 ME 7 PH T # CIR CUS 5 1

o G t o 6 E W

to 43

2 rl b E 17 8 8 2 R E E

4 4 15

5 Ma 1 19 S 1 4 9 3 3 T ST T

2 3

1 3

PH 8 9 T 1 4 S S O

1 1 4 5

5 8 R 1 4 2 L Y T R W 23 0

T E 66 3 8 IL E E

E E W ill ia m Bl ake Ho u s e 0 Po s t s OM E 2 6 R

R P 10 a R T S 48

ST # 6 L 3 6 T

N 1 A R

39 17

1 1

T O 8 C 1 EE 2

# 15 9 2 N L E 1 4 83 6 T 1

4 GA 6 0 E 4

4 PH X Palace Theatre 50

3 S IN H 2 PH

T O T 4 Y s 2 7

53 64

1 0 R G t S R 2 r 0 22. 4m 1 7

4 E T P ee R 2 U 4 d o

E O K Ct 7 tr IE 4 3 B s a

1 2 T N IN 7 r 's 07 8 S CH 5 to S s 's

S y le 1 r d R 2 2 8 T E E Lexi con b a t re n 1 2

4 T ea U 3 5 F U m a ti e 9 5

n 8 S M BO 6 A E N A h e a r tr

42 2 to TCBs T 7 H V Ho u s e T a

9 57

1 a n 5 6 4 4 S A M e

3 0 12

G St 9 4 t h 1

4 6 Bank S T 1

21 29 2 1

2 4 T

4 45 3 35 3

12 6 O

43 6

d T 62 40 Theat r e W

47 4 P e a r S G Ba nk

4 l or Me St R 2 2 6 R Palac e Lexi con t E

5 6 B rt 7 I E 7 r R

3 7

o u 01 o 1 H E C o u S

34 1 to 57 C 1 t C LB E Theat r e House R St Martins 7 T 4 7 e P B 7 1 1 2 R K C 2 l ac a E 4 U P S 8 er

E T 8 r P 3 3 rg I Ke m p R BO H T 2 w Theat r e BP

E l ve to it ng W R 1 o

7 2 T R t Si 2 1 e e H I 24.3m 5 0 24. 3m T t

1 4

44 S o u r r C s O Ho u s e C 3 E s

3 4 3

2 2 C 4 C o tr P 0 K 2 E n

1 9

to n g 0 t ur e K S 7 T o y

o 83

4 1 K ti rl i 18 t I T 3 24 W b C d

9 3

1 0 8 I C S N t R 5 B

7 41

2 to 6 W 18 I S 1 E 2 28 E S

1 t 2 D N Ingestre S 9 E t 6 T LB

e 0 OA P G T T o 8 ro

tre R 3 # E Court R 1 5 7 1 4 2 4 2 S T o d

S B 3 S E a 99 0 7 8 C R B a n

31 5

n 8 8 T E t 1 LITC HFIE L R E

o t

nt o R T 1 e 2 3 32 D ST REET E

a 2 7 9 E tre T T 2 TCPs

1 6

G 3 PL 97 S 5 8 E F 4

3 3 2a P E PH r R E R 86

2 6 o 6 L TR ie T I 8

54 4

P 6 A E S ch S T 0

1 1

9 49 7

H M C G 95 r 6 0 TCP P L Y H

5 to

1 7 5 3 E I N ou 6 H 2 1 IL S 21. 5m

45 30 5

8 A 4 6 B 6 2 o OM T 7 23.9m Def

R 0 m t R R 1 0

W S B to 67 ET 8 2 0 3 t o

7 5

H M 4. 6 4 RE 5 E 1 9 3 7

2 0

a A 71 93 66 2 T E 9 99 to 121

4 5

5 re L to 2 M S T to h L 5 4. T B ON a 5 Cinema 7

o u 6 5 E T D 0 7

s 48 S 2 We st mi nst e r 1 RE MP E 9 4

91 e 50 T R 6 3 8 m T O A t S C N 1 E 2 o E R L D

7 E 6 1 3 College T 5 O TCBs S

T 2 PE 89 5 T

5 9 3 7 2 1 a R Sandr ingham

1 C LB o E

o t

6 a 46 1 5 6 7 4 1 E 7

2 6 1 2 54 9

57 20

r n 57 W T 7 2 Fl ats

8 1 K a 5 8 7 6 1

5 PH i 1 0 1 by 9 a Fire

n g t 5 S 5 5 L 24.2m lk 2

2 4 6 4

ly o to t 1 E e 1

7 o t

7 9

C 3 r e PH 8 X 2 r' to 5 4 H PH

6 42

o 7 e 5 3 IN 1 s P 2 5 Stat ion V U

59 50

o 16

u t 22 G C 4 1 a 5 P

rt 5 1 t t l Or io nH ouse

TO 4 7 e P

61 1 2

K 1 H 1 3 to R 1 E 4

IN 3 P 7 N 85 T o t o 6 R

G S Car Par k 3 to 20 85 G C y 42

20 63

L 7 T 3 5 to E B 15 a S

83 4 5

Y 1 R 2 7 R s l 9 T

6 6 7

2 4 9 E # Chancel Ct 7 R 8 H M

ST 6 E 1 6 A 1 o

81 1

9 t

R 1 T 2 5 R 1 u A

E 4 to LB 5 2 s R

E t 1 0 3 LB D e 5 5 Sandr ingham T

T 5 o 26 P 8 I

3 1 to

5 1 G L 28 Fl ats N

8 2

7 1

1 1 6 re StAnne' s Ch u r c h 4 A to to '

2 4 5

0 4 1 7 e C o 18 M S

1 1 8a 79 5

FB n E t 7 e L TCP

4 9

3 's 1 24.1m 0 to r A

4 C 11 3 id N

2 7

2 2 7

2 o 1 2 4 1 ia

t u 7 5 12 n E o 3 9 rt 77

8 4 3 12 P W 11 # TCPs rk la 3 1

o 3 7 1 4 D Fn a 1 El to c

10 11 2 1 e r t r P K ks U 20 1 6 y C PH Ca to Sub A

in P u r r

gl 38 P T b 1 2 ts

9 2 7 y E 1 8 E is 2 0 0 St a

C R E T 7 3 2 P P (B T

6 o 6 8 T R o o h

ur 3 1 J A 28 S s s e l e

6 t M 2 8 a R 3 7 1 n d t s t s o a 34

1 ET t SO HO 2 6 2 0 E 63 a 3 w tr 7 4 r t E E o W 6 9 s e rd ) e

ou T R S 1 E 5 T or Ya C

C S S 3 2 2 B R 2 EE H in

o n K T 6 Ca r Park ts R 9 lp h 48 lu

ni s E A R t o 61 o s T 0 o 4 b

e 4 9 B E G 5 P S 6 7 M 9 D 8

T 2 E R 1 0 59 T 2 s

1 to T 3 1 E T A s t 5 6

7 2 2 5 2 A E C 6 Po 0 2

7 1 3 1

T NN 6 5 S C PH PH o

P I T L N 7 to t

9 o t

31 13 to

U 5 W TCBs R E 1 E 1 2

L 0 S 1 7 11 W 6 5

21 55

T 7 E F P 6

1 1 45

E 3 0 3 86 E IE O

2 t 9

70 N W 6 T

0 1 E A TCBs to LB LD R

Y 3 2 R 6 1 8 T

1 2 t D 2 P

80 4

o 6 Q ueen's O 5 L 4

1 1 1 U s 2 A Pos t s 8 5

7 0 1 0 2 R 5 9 s t C a 98 7 6

44 7

S 7 B Po E 29 to 34 12 11 01

3 T 51 Theat r e S M ( Be l ow) TCBs 13

33 2

R 57 P T 2 5 7 1 0 8 N ewpo r

26 25 9

E 5 s os R 3 1 t C ourt

38 E ce t EE .8 3 24a TCPs

22 2 1 7 1 3

8 1 5 to T to L n s T 3 6 TC P

4 1

16 7 E 2 d e m M P 2 20

18 18 2 1

to 3 B X s i 5 3 o P 0a

33 4 7 25 4 2 6 LB R IN e a c s os GR EAT O RT STREE T

8m 1 6 I G s R S c t s t G REAT NEW P

D T 0 s ' t le 1 s 49

U L 4 O 2 3 6 e re s s NE WPO RT ST

P E 16 5 e fi

8 16 t N to am s t 2

5 P L to o S 3 8 J t e 1 4 Po a

1 1 8 7 2

E A 7 T S t Ar cherSt 23.m 3 0 ld 2 5 12 47

R N 1 0 5 Glo b e 12 7 20.m 3 14 o t

3 6 E Chambers 6 E 1 1 PH 2 5

3 8 45 12

1 3 JO # # C PH 13

to 3 6 7 Theat r e L A

9 H E P 1 T 15 16

1 1 N o 2 PH Y 3 0 48

E 37 5 2 S R t PH # S E E d y

6 T A 4 4 2 5 N R 29 B

to R U 6 o 2 S t 1 DA a T 28 rd

1 E Q 3 t r 1 5 S LI TTL E N a 64 8

1 6 0 E S 1 h e s D 27 EW PORT S Lei cester Squa r e n r t) W C R

6 T N Jo rc r k 5 26 TRE ET t io p o 3 3 E 7 h 38 A o 4 AR 2 2 ta n s

D n 2 W to B 6 2 5 St ation e S ra

5 L B 3 3 9 a 1 R a r T

to O ro 9 9 TCBs n t o R q u o n LB 1 a 4 6 k 1 5 E tue (LT) S n d

G d 4 G t a e r Lo T

2 w t o TCP E S 22 s t ( E

6 2 28

2 3 o o 1 6 U 7 1 7 2 0 ic e RE 34 o t

4 d t o 1 3 N Bs 3 2 1 L e T 77

3 2 2

H E TC S

35 0 to

o o 1 2 s RN

1 u 1 0 AV s t TCPs U

5 to s S Po 20 O

2 5 e o Y 3 to L er Shelt NB

2 1 2 TC Bs h R 6 9 8 e A TCPs

2 S o 1 ic 43 CR

30 31 c P 1 2 8 U e

G 41 h a T B 2 0 s

o 4 o ris E 9 t S

2 l d St a tue 9 o l h RE E # e 79 78 32 31

1 e 1 3 T 6 2 1 r

n S FT 0 ts Cinema C 30 1 5

S 17 E R Apol lo A 45 2 2 o s o Hippodrome

G q 24. 5m 1 4 H H 5 3 P u

1 a u 17 C 6 2 rt

5 27 r a AR Theat r e S 2 3 Telephone 0

4 de re 2 8

5 32 4 n # 5 3 3 1 4 1

1 s LB o Exchange C R 8

9 12 t PH 4

8 46 1 6 T 7 Notre Da m e

33 2

41 E

25 2

2 5 RE Ci nema

3 7

0 0 ST de France

1 6 R T E 2

8 3 U 1 2 L Leicester Square 8

a O 39 25 L I S

3 7

1 30 E C R C Chur ch St a

4 8 29 PH 1 'S TCBs B 19.m 4

R 1 L 8 H M

3 A O 8 IT (LT) 83

U W M 4 2 10 f PH

Q 1 S R 2 3 1 De

1 S E 4 37 0 .2

46 7 R 5 4 U 4 5 4

N J 3 P 3 7 to m 9 10

65 35 8

E A E 4 3 L 11

D M 6 's R 0 E 6 8

L E 3 i th t T IC

1 O S 2 m u r S E 7 EET St Mar t in 's 9

67 4 S S o T 3 1 S TR St Martin's Ct C

0 G T C 15 1 1 Lyr ic R 8 3 T N S 6 4

29 37

t 1 R 9 7 2 9 E E UR o 5 9 0

o 4 E 15 R NBO u 8 1 0

3 7 1 33 E Theat r e E 3 P 3 RA rt

4 T PH 1 T 6 29 L C

7 4 # 8 A 1 8

1 C

71 25 8

to D Vernon 3 2 E

t 3

4 62 R 4 2

o 1

e t 1 A G 21.m 6 3 W

4 4 7

tre 6 1 Y R H ouse 1 R C T

3 8 5 M E 1 a 16 1 C y 's FB

a A 3 2 2 2 H h nd

43 re

1 W H A 3 0 2 1 C ea h 87

7 1 14

3 4 3a 5 T 2 3 u rt ra A t a Alber y Theat re

7 9 t

1 1 to 3 A h W 2 7 Co n r m

o 1

4 3 6 R rc 4 e r t H 2 1 b R e

7 47

1 4

1 W h u I N H up P 1 5 o 's Theat

1 I C D P R 2 u IN 88 48

6 o 41

Bank C PH 6 4 E T 2 Cinema rn W yndham

K E M 8 5 G T

1 S B 20 R IL T 7 3 1 4 A C

H 3 CE T M T L C 2 1 ll 39 t P 6

E 9 2 L A R S Ca r Park B 4 e C s

D P E 2 R 42 S s y D N T 37 E 4 . 6 6 E T R O E T 7 W R 2 LB 6

N EG 7m R E E 2 7 6 O R L 4 6 8 B E f

S 7 O T 1 e BEAR S St Ma r t in 's St Ma r t in 's Court 37

T 1 3 1 W 43 D STR 90

32 8

R 1 1 1 PH 1 EET S Court 89

27 23

8 1

E 7 E 2 P 2

5 3

E 1 3 R FB T ic 17 5 R

0 1

T to J h c 9 28 30

11 4 5

1 O 7 2 e a 44 # 25 L O PH

1 to 0 H a d E 17

1 2 8 8 N tr il IC A

3 e ly 15 S 19 PH

1 1

6 3 0 S 7 4 T E 19. 8m D t Bank 1 R T R S

o E R Piccadilly D T 18 Ca m e o Hous e

8 9 E e E E 92

21 2 13

G E 1 7 6 n 45 E R PH 37 PH 91

T T hea t r e m 0 T

9 3 3 to t

E a

1 7 7 o

N n 1 Swi s 3

1 3

PH 8 1

2 1 20 T 23.8m 1 P 20.1m 24 1 la 2 S 2 S c S 1 Centre PC LB 14

4 H e h 0 8 26 24

4 T 5 1 E 1 o

31 R 1 R p 1 TCPs BM 18.78m

T 1 5 to W 4 s 6 4 Cec i l Court

E E 1 1 t 1 0 O 6 5 to d 21 Cec il

RE E 2 2 o 23.4m O P 7 1 Un

T 8 D H 8 to 10 1

S T LB Court C ourt 15 4

15 ON 7 8 S Hu nt 's 27 D T R 12 St atue 18.4m 29 D STR EET

HE E E 14 DEN MAN 1 T 2 33 22 1 L 2 95 9

to 6 E

1 S

3 3

13 1 4 E NMA N Ban k h I

4 2 to

4 D o C

23 22 9

t R egen t Pala c e H otel STREET ps TCBs

o 9 Bank E

1 84 1 S

4 31 2 6 1

0 to A TCBs T

6 I to

4 2

3 R E 97

1 17 27 1 S Ci nema R PO m T PH Ci n e ma

87 R 99

3. 19 PCs S

1 2 E 3 Tr ocader o

2 M E 6 2 Q 1 B T o 4 Stat ue

t U 16

PH 5 9 1 ot 44 1

21 25 1 A Bank 1

1 3 2 R 14 12 Ne w Gall ery 0 PH 42 E

6 3 6 to 40

9 t 4 Fount ain 1 o 4 4 4 f t

Ce n t re 1 5 De u r

1 7

to 1 22.9m Co 50 1 101 1 2 46 3 6 s s 10 0 6 wi

2 S 21

5 G LASS 14L

1 HO USE ST Bd y E RE ET 1 17 20.5m 9 8

TCBs rd 1I 4 1 8 1 3 LB W a C

4 19. 6m # E 9 2

19 27 8 S

PH endin g

6 T LeicesterF ields St atue 2 6 4 Cent ra l L 3 46 6 E 8 17

9 R 6 4 Libr ary Du k e ofYor k's 9

22.5m 18 11 t o 2 39 Li brar y 2 GLAS 26 T 3 S

1 SH O 4 4 REE Q Theat r e 4 5 a USE Y ST 31 NTR U

5 17 16 ST VE 6 REE 7 CO CR 48 A

T 1 t o 15

1 Ho t e l R

4 Bank E Stat ue

e 80 30 1 1 2 d 5

T a t o Ba nk 1

6 a EE rc A 5 0 London P avilion

10 STR A 8 6 I 1a

O 1 0 t R

V IG 0 n 1 S 13

a 0 T

r R 5 2 2 TCBs 0

13 d B an k 1 1

9 1

1 a 8 a E Ga ric r k

22 o

u 7 4 7 E 19.7m Pr inc e of Wal es'

t Q T 1 1

24 7 54 T 1 21.8m N Theatre Theat r e

PH E PICCADIL LY CIRCUS 97

2 8 EG PiccadillyCircus TCBs 7

9 2 8 to 5 60 R 8 9

t 90 46 S 1 13 1 0

o T St ation h

1 3

13to 49

23.4m 28 2 EE a

6 3

5 R (LT) ve t

A to LB ST r b C LB

c 6 86 3 's m # I RVI N 2 47

a 2 5 P c o G STR

1 l h it EE T

2 1

10 1 G d t 84 Shaftesbury ac

to e o 82 72 e W 20

8 m 8 BM 80 f

19 1 8

3 1 2 74 Me m oial r De

y 0 2.

t 1 4 Pos t s H otel 17.1m

25 9

H 9 m LB (Eros)

42 15 1 4

3 o 3

29 13

3 45

t u

1 s 3

21 63

e 2 11 NG ARI CH

il ly 20

1 H to a d 3 Bank

to 1 98 10 i cc 1 4

27 6 P 9

6 to 9 O t

3 9 10 3 X 2 Cour 21 0 E 5 ong's

31 # N t L Hotel RO SS CRO

9 4 9 1

2 1

29 D o 2 Bank

6 to

9 a 7

PC B O 2 531 b

3 8 9

to 7 Stat ue

E 1

87 2 1

29 9 S 9 8 T T 5 8 to R EE 6 C

a E R 5 H

3 0 5 Bank E ST 8 Chur c h AR

2 1 5 T N AD IN 10 7 3

8 1 5

2 6 18.1m O Hotel Nat io n al Pi c tur e G a lle r y TCBs G

67 30 0 2 NT C 1 I 9 P A Library R to (Archive) OS W Ci n e ma S

6 R 21 Y H 39 45 O I L L PH IT AD

AD C

6 S 15 C H O

A 19 t o P I C 3 6 35

t C 9 R A M

5 1 K C 1 Y Ci nema B

V LB Na t ion a l I 7 B ank M S A

1 Gt Windmill St/Shaftesbury Avenue – opposite Sugar Reef 2 Brewer St/Lexington Street 3 Brewer St (No.4) – Opposite Village Bar 4 Berwick/Broadwick Street corner 5 Soho Square 6 Greek/Old Compton Street corner 7 Cambridge Circus 8 Old Compton/Frith St corner 9 China Town – Gerrard St 10 Eros 11 Rupert/Brewer St corner – opposite Madame JoJo’s 12 Shaftesbury Avenue/Wardour St corner 13 Leicester Square – Odeon 14 Leicester Square 15 Ham Yard 16 Great Pulteney St 17 Golden Square 18 Lexington Street 19 Jon Snow Public House 20 Poland/D’Arblay St corner 21 Wardour St – Crazy Salads 22 Dean Street – All Bar One

46 Soho Noise Survey (22 sites) Comparison of Daytime LAeq

65 dB 60 Aug-00 Jan-08 55

40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122 Sites

Soho Noise Survey (22 sites) Comparison of Evening LAeq

dB 60 Aug-00 Jan-08 55

40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122 Sites

47 Soho Noise Survey (22 Sites) Comparison of Night-time LAeq

65 dB Aug-00 60 Jan-08

40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122 Sites

48 Soho West Noise Survey Weekend Daytime LA90s

dB 55 2008

40 1234567891011121314151617181920 Sites

Soho West Sites - Weekend Evening LA90s Comparison

60 dB 2003 55 2008

40 1234567891011121314151617181920 Sites

Soho West Sites - Weekend Night-time LA90s Comparison

60 dB 2003 55 2008

40 1234567891011121314151617181920 Sites

49 Soho East Noise Survey 2008 Weekend Daytime LA90s

dB 55 2008

40 1234567891011121314151617181920 Sites

Soho East Sites Weekend Evening LA90s

dB 2003 55 2008

40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Sites

Soho East Sites Weekend Night-time LA90s

dB 2003 55 2008

40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Sites

Author: Robert Reed Protective Marking: Not Protectively Marked Westminster City Council, 2008