Noise pollution has soared since the pandemic began as people are socialising at home

New study finds that complaints about noisy neighbours have jumped in the past year, making it harder to sleep

By TOM BAWDEN, Science & Environment Correspondent at inews.co.uk

Nearly a third of Britons find it difficult to sleep because of noise levels – a problem that has got worse under the pandemic, according to a new survey.

As people spend more time at home, they are drinking, socialising and playing loud music more than when pubs and other leisure activities are in full swing – leading to an increase in household noise.

Some 31 per cent of the population is finding it difficult to sleep – while a third say they have noticed more noise since Covid-19 lockdowns began in March 2020, according to a survey of 1,646 Britons by the sustainable insulation company Rockwool.

Image: Quiet Mark certified Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab

Meanwhile, three in ten people say noise stops them from opening doors and windows – and overall, 77 per cent of those surveyed said they hear unwanted noise in their homes.

“The pandemic has led to more people working, studying, and spending time in their own homes. With this they’ve become more aware of unwanted noise and our results show it’s having a detrimental effect on their ability to relax, unwind, or even sleep,” said Rockwool managing director Darryl Matthews.

Gloria Elliott OBE, Chief Executive of the Noise Abatement Society added: “This data shows that noise is a serious problem, impacting on our quality of life and the enjoyment of our homes.”

“Noise is a major nuisance, but worse than that it can also seriously affect people’s health and wellbeing,” she said.

Meanwhile, figures Rockwell obtained through freedom of information requests to 55 local authorities across Britain suggest the pandemic has led to a 29 per cent increase in noise complaints to local authorities across the country.

The biggest rises came in Birmingham City Council, the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, and the London Borough of Bexley, which recorded increases of 156 per cent, 99 per cent, and 76 per cent respectively in 2020, when compared with the previous year.

Read the original article on the inews.co.uk website here.