Anti-noise lobby voices concerns

The group called traffic noise the "forgotten pollutant"

Campaigners are calling on the Scottish Executive to draw up "noise maps" of the country's most blighted areas.

The Noise Lobby Group is launching its new Scottish branch to highlight the problems of roads and flight paths.

John Stewart, chair of the UK Noise Association, says ministers have a responsibility to draw up action plans to deal with the noisiest areas.

The European Noise Directive requires all member states to deal with noise from traffic and construction sites.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has begun "noise mapping" England and Wales, but the process is yet to be started in Scotland.

The UK Noise Association hopes setting up a Scottish branch will pressure the executive into following suit.

'Forgotten pollutant'

Mr Stewart said: "Scotland is leading the way in dealing with noisy neighbours through the measures it has taken to combat anti-social behaviour.

"The challenge now is to produce noise maps of road and aircraft noise and to come up with action plans to tackle the worst affected areas."

Napier University law professor Frank McManus, chairman of the Scottish branch, said: "For too long noise has been the forgotten pollutant, yet for many people it is a serious problem.

"We will be lobbying the parliament to take the necessary measures to improve the noise climate."