Cnoc na Greine four times noisier than town?
That's the results from some comparative measurements I made this morning between 7.30-8pm. It highlights what is becoming an increasingly difficult issue in the estate, especially with the returned high levels of traffic, and the recent cutback of trees between the estate and the motorway.
The level of noise at Cnoc na Greine Woods this morning, for instance, at 87dB (an average over a period of measuring) could be compared to a passenger jet on landing approach just a mile away ... except that it's constant for the duration of commuter traffic at the rate of 2,100 vehicles an hour passing by. The experts say that unprotected exposure for eight hours at that level can result in hearing damage.
My measurements were taken in the open areas, and so would be somewhat louder than in nearby homes, but there's little doubt that even then it has to be very annoying. Also I must caveat that my decibel meter on an iPad is not exactly state of art instrumentation, but it's a starting point. (Note that the dB scale is logarithmic, and 90dB is four times louder than 70dB.)
There has been recent criticism of the cutting of trees on the motorway bank beside the estate, as they gave some sound protection. Also, there have been representations made to the relevant Government minister to have proper soundproofing panels erected on that part of the M9.
