Strategic noise maps for Scotland were published by the Scottish Government today.

The maps have been drawn up in accordance with the European Union's Environmental Noise Directive (END). It identifies areas that have a certain level of ambient noise. This includes all transport sources, including road, rail and air as well as cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh.

"Excessive noise can cause misery and distress to everyone. It's often referred to as the forgotten pollutant but I am determined that from today, more is done to highlight the importance of tackling excessive noise,” Minister for Environment Michael Russell said.

"In Scotland we already have the most comprehensive antisocial noise regime in the UK, if not Europe and were one of the first countries in the world to introduce noise intervention levels.

"I am delighted that we are now able to release strategic noise maps for Edinburgh and Glasgow and for the major transport networks, into which a considerable amount of work has gone. I'm also told that Scotland is the first in UK to do this, which of course makes me very pleased indeed.

"There are no instant solutions to the problems of noise pollution. This is a long term process. But the publication of these maps is the starting point of an exciting journey and will inform work to be done in the future. We are next required to determine the number of people impacted by excessive noise and then in conjunction with relevant local authorities develop and produce Action Plans for these areas by July 2008.

Martin Valenti from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the project manager for the noise mapping project and has been working with the Scottish Government on this for over a year. He said:

"It is vital that the public appreciate the noise maps are just the first stage in the process to manage environmental noise in Scotland. The real challenges lie ahead in preparing action plans to address noise, where it is deemed a problem.

"Environmental noise can be of great concern for many people living in urban environments particularly noise from transport."