Noise action plan - stage 2 confirmed
At its meeting today, Chemnitz City Council approved the City of Chemnitz Noise Action Plan - Stage 2. This instructs the city administration to implement a total of 13 noise reduction measures within the framework of the available budget and human resources and to take the results of the noise action plan into account in urban planning.
The measures include the use of noise-reducing road surfaces on the noisiest roads or roads with high levels of pollution as part of the planned road renovations. When expanding the tram network, further sections of track are to be laid with grass tracks if the general conditions allow.
Furthermore, speed measurements are to be carried out at noise hotspots, these are to be analysed and the results used to develop more detailed proposals for measures.
Many Chemnitz residents took the opportunity to contribute their suggestions and effectively participate in the noise action plan. The draft plan was available for inspection from May to June 2015 and was simultaneously published on the City of Chemnitz website with opportunities for participation. A citizens' forum was also held at the TIETZ, where the draft was presented and discussed. The numerous comments were analysed and incorporated into the noise action plan after consideration.
The now confirmed second stage of the noise action plan covers approx. 224 km of the road network including 22 km of federal motorways and approx. 30 km of the tramway network as well as 12 km of the city railway.
A total of 10,700 people are exposed to noise levels of more than 65 dB(A) throughout the day and almost 12,000 people are exposed to noise levels of more than 55 dB(A) at night. Both can lead to health problems, such as an increase in the risk of high blood pressure or a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. At these levels, the threshold values for triggering noise action planning are exceeded, meaning that the requirements for drawing up or revising a noise action plan are met.
The noise action plan is to be understood as a long-term, strategic planning instrument with binding effect for all administrative and planning areas. It provides suggestions and impetus for noise avoidance and noise reduction. Noise mapping and the subsequent noise action plan is also an ongoing process that should be repeated or updated every five years.