News

A report just published rates Folkestone as the fourth quietest town in England.

Professor of audiology at University College London, Deepak Prasher,drew up a map using traffic noise, which he says has become the number one noise pollutant.

Newcastle registered more than 80 decibels and according to the World Health Organisation any figure above 75 decibels is "unsuitable for human habitation".

Not surprisingly London and Birmingham registered noise levels high enough to cause severe stress, a weakened immune system, heart problems and tinnitus.

Further down the list are "black spots" such as Coventry, Brighton and Plymouth, where noise levels approaching 75 decibels which are sufficient to cause sleepless nights and lowered productivity at work.

The map shows that those chasing a quiet life are best heading to the South West, where Paignton and Torquay are relative oases of peace.

Folkestone together with Cambridge and Colchester also sit at the bottom of the noise league. However, even they top 55 decibels, above the level which experts say irritation can begin.

But it is bad news for the north of the county with Gillingham rated the sixth noisiest town in the country.