The other method we use to control noise from construction sites is to require that all contractors use the 'best practical means' to minimise noise from their activities.

This is a very broad (and complicated) area and can include matters ranging from the prohibition of the use of radios on site to the proper maintenance of plant and equipment. It can also include matters such as the choice of appropriate plant for a particular task or putting up noise barriers or screens.

Poorly maintained plant and equipment can give rise to excessive noise and the failure to use the built-in noise control shielding on plant can cause problems.

Opt for lower-noise equipment

We encourage the use of mains powered electrical equipment (rather than using generators) and hydraulic breaking or bursting techniques are preferable to impact breaking methods for demolition.

The choice of equipment for a particular task is important in noise reduction. For example, bored piling is usually a lot less disturbing than hammered piling. We therefore insist on the use of bored piles whenever possible. However, sometimes it is necessary to use hammered piling techniques for engineering reasons.