Noise Action Plan 2024-2028

Cork County Council Noise Action Plan

The Environmental Noise Directive (‘END’) (2002/49/EC) is a European Union legal instrument vital for protecting public health and the environment by addressing the adverse effects of environmental noise.
The END was transposed into Irish Law by the Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 (S.I. 140/2006) (the ‘Regulations’). The Regulations were revised by the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 549/2018) and amended through the European Communities (Environmental Noise) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 663/2021).

The END does not set any limit values or prescribe noise management measures to fulfil its aims. Through the establishment of noise regulations, the execution of strategic noise maps and implementation of Noise Action Plans, the END strives to raise public awareness, prevent and reduce environmental noise, and preserve environmental noise quality in areas where it is good.

In Ireland, it is recommended that the Noise Action Plans support Policy Objective 65 from the National Planning Framework 2040, which states:

“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.”

This Noise Action Plan, and its subsequent implementation, is critical to ensuring Cork County Council achieves the aims and objectives of the END, compliance with national policy and to address local environmental noise issues.

For more information, please get in touch:

• electronically via the Cork County Council dedicated email address at [email protected]
• or in writing to the Cork National Roads Office, Cork County Council, Richmond, Glanmire, Cork, T45 WA44.