Although Liverpool John Lennon Airport is dedicated to the eponymous Beatle, noise produced by aviation is not music to our ears. Excessive noise and overexposure to noise can adversely affect humans and animals. Transport, specifically aeroplanes, is the main source of noise pollution, a known health concern, in the UK.
When Liverpool John Lennon Airport was undergoing a £400-million phased redevelopment, including the construction of a new runway and terminal, there were concerns about additional noise pollution. RSK offered noise advice to help offset any potential impacts from the expansion. A Liverpool-based team undertook computer-based modelling to prepare a full set of environmental noise contours validated by measurements around the site, which considered the number of annual flights, aircraft types and flight tracks. RSK also supported the planning application, including a public planning inquiry. The team also considered the main terminal building’s internal acoustics and reviewed the proposed public address system for the departure and arrival lounges and baggage halls.