John Connell Awards
(PRWEB) October 28, 2004
Presented 2004 by the Rt Hon David Blunkett at Portcullis House 26th Oct 6pm
The John Connell local authority award has been won by Southend on Sea Borough Council for their package of good practice and outstanding service to the community, A 24 hour service for noise, in this application was a special project called Âcruisers this initiative tackles the growing problem of in car entertainment systems, included in this package are screeching tyres, engines and the latest exhaust systems. This type of noise is now named the BOOM BOOM car, the council have made available to other local authorises this initiative showing the co-operation between them and the police.
The council have made this part of their crime and disorder strategy, they provide four patrols on the sea front per annum, they patrol with co-operation of the police, although only a few prosecutions have been made it educates and warns the perpetrator that he/she is liable to prosecution, the presence of the EHO,s and police provides for a quieter night for residents.
Two special John Connell awards ÂHighly Commended are being given this year.
London Borough of Southwark run a 24 hour 7 day a week noise team, their work load is enormous yet they have found time to participate in filming a documentary with the BBC due for release in the autumn. This will highlight the problem of noise. They have a poster campaign DONÂT SUFFER. They have explored IT innovation to ensure the field officers are tracked for safety reasons but at the same time the field officers can receive the latest information in real time regarding complaints, this does away with verbal communication and eliminates misunderstandings. Southwark work closely with all departments including the police and attends conferences as a partner advising on anti- social behaviour. The hard and dedicated work justly deserves recognition.
London Borough of Brent has received an award for their outstanding campaign highlighting the serious problem of noise from fireworks. A campaign of posters and advertising the fact that fireworks will not be tolerated after 11pm. They recognised that special occasions had to be considered and held a meeting with the Indian association regarding fireworks over the Diwali season; this meeting was so successful the Indian community distributed leaflets on behalf of the council. 2004 will see an increase of posters on local buses.
John Connell Innovation
Given to the Banks Group who operate surface coal mines, and are involved in the development of land remediation and property schemes. This company use huge machinery, dup trucks, caterpillars and diggers. Understanding the impact on the environment they proceeded to cut down the noise pollution from these machines.
All machines have now been fitted at their own expense with acoustic panels that surrounds the engine, all exhausts have been redesigned, noisy fans and air coolers on all machinery have been fitted with the tailor made panels and silencers. Testing after all work was completed reduced the noise from 94dba to 76dba a reduction of 18dba. This is an impressive reduction that has allowed the company to work in very sensitive sites; one site is the Deli site in Northumberland and complies with the noise limits imposed. They also have fitted new Brigade back alarms to add to the noise reduction.
To complement their effort in noise reduction a pair of Kestrels nested and successfully hatched three eggs while the work continued close to the nest. This company takes the problem of noise very seriously; they safe guard the environment, workers and neighbours.
John Connell award for Technology
Given to Fulcrum Voice Technology Ltd for their new ÂEar AngelÂ
This new piece of equipment is a digital Noise Limiter that has been designed to protect headset users from the risks of acoustic shock, in this modern age of call centres Acoustic Shock caused by loud noises reaching the telephone operator can cause permanent and painful damage to the ears. Ear Angel is a simple plug in device that has an in built device that reads the loud noise and stops it before the telephone operator hears it, thus reducing ear damage.
John Connell ÂSpecial Enterprise Award to Doncaster Metropolitan Council
In the UK there has been a very large increase in the illegal use of motorcycles on public land. Noise is just one problem that affects nearby residents from this illegal activity, many complaints have been received at the offices of the NAS and all had said the local authority could do nothing.
Doncaster working with the local police held a meeting and the outcome was a pilot scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour and noise, initial operations were successful and full operations against offenders are carried out most weekends.
To date 336 Abatement Notices have been served, 25 motorbikes have been seized and 8 successful prosecutions through the courts. This has set an example of good practice, good ideas, that all local authorities can follow. The scheme has shown initiative, and co-operation between agencies and has proven successful in the control of anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance
FACTS ABOUT THE NOISE ABATEMENT SOCIETY
The Noise Abatement Society formed in 1959, is a voluntary, non-profit making organisation created with the sole purpose of eliminating excessive and unnecessary noise from all sources.
It is completely independent and non-political, supported by members subscriptions and donations. Membership is both corporate and individual.
The society actively campaigns in the press, on radio and television and takes all possible steps under existing law to protect the public in general and members of the society in particular, from assault by noise. Informs the public by every means of the dangers of noise to health and of their legal rights against those who create noise.
Please call 01273 682223
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