How Sheet Piles Can Cut Motorway Noise Pollution
Homeowners living alongside Britain’s motorways have received a variety of advice over the last few years, when it comes to tips as to how to reduce the noise emanating from Britain’s high-speed highways. But putting bamboo, trellises, trees, water features and acoustic fences aside, the best way to cut motorway noise pollution is probably to install steel sheet piles.
The Netherlands is one country that has embraced this. Residents around the motorway network at Eindhoven have had their noise nuisance significantly reduced, following the installation of sheet pile retaining walls. Quiet nights, full of long restorative sleep, have once again returned to the lives of those residents living close to one of the busiest parts of the Netherlands’ motorway network.
Motorway noise pollution UK: the sheet pile solution
Here in the UK, residents living close to motorways have just the same issues. Some are already starting to benefit from Highways England’s efforts to reduce noise pollution. Funding has been made available for initiatives such as the installation of double-glazing and ventilation systems, which mean that windows do not have to be opened on hot summer days. Sheet piles are, on the other hand, not being used as often as should be the case.
This is despite Highways England taking noise pollution seriously. As its Principal Noise Advisor, Ian Holmes, has said: “Motorways are vital for connecting the country and supporting the economy but at a local level, noise from the vehicles using them can affect people’s health and wellbeing.”
With 1150 locations besides roads in England earmarked for noise reduction improvements by next year, there needs to be significant action in some parts of the country, particularly as motorway and road-widening schemes are continuing to be rolled out at great speed.
Sheet piles and noise reduction
One proven way of reducing noise pollution is to install driven sheet piles alongside the motorway, to create an effective acoustic barrier. Whilst it might be assumed that such works will create more noise nuisance during installation, by using a silent vibratory hammer pile driver, even this can be avoided.
Sheet Piling UK can easily install such sheet piles, even without the need for a pile-driving platform, if its new long-reach installation rig or restricted access solutions are used for such works. The installation of sheet piles as a noise barrier is a relatively new solution, but one that is most definitely versatile and effective.
As well as reducing noise nuisance, steel sheet piles, if used in a corroded format, can deter graffiti artists, and can even carry additional transparent glass noise barriers, if a particular scheme or area would benefit from this aesthetic additional noise-reducing measure.
Those seeking to reduce noise around Britain’s motorways definitely need to put some focus on steel sheet piles. Whilst ideal as structures that can retain soil or water during construction or marine projects, the world is increasingly recognising that sheet piles also have a major part to play in reducing the stresses that noise pollution can bring to those trying to live their lives alongside Britain’s motorways and major, traffic-bearing roads.
- Ends -NOTES TO EDITORS
Sheet Piling (UK) Limited is one of the UK's leading piling contractors. Owning and operating a comprehensive range of specialist piling equipment Sheet Piling (UK) Ltd also carry extensive stocks of new and used piles enabling rapid reaction to any urgent requirements or emergency situations.