Noise Annoys Campaign
20/06/2008
In September last year, the Forfar Community Council and the Forfar & Kirriemuir Taxi Operators approached the Focus on Alcohol Angus project to get support to tackle the issue of noise in the centre of Forfar. This was happening at the weekends when the pubs and clubs emptied. The Forfar CC had received two complaints from local neighbours about the impact this was having on their quality of life. After several discussions with the residents and the licensed trade it was decided that a public campaign to raise awareness about the issue would be developed. This resulted in the ëNoise Annoysí campaign being launched; a poster and flyers aimed at being promoted by the local licensed trade to help reduce the issue of noise in the town centre after the pubs came out.
An evaluation of the above project was conducted recently and this included interviews with the licensed trade in Forfar and the residents who had made the initial complaint to the Forfar Community Council. The results of the campaign were very good. From the sample of licensees questioned, all who had received the campaign posters and flyers for customers had displayed them in their premises. When questioned, the licensees were unaware of any impact the posters had had in the town centre in relation to reducing noise late at night. However, the residents who had complained reported ëthey could now get a nightís sleepí and that there had been a very good difference in the reduction of noise in the area on a Friday and Saturday evening.
The evaluation also reported that generally the Focus on Alcohol Angus project was ëdoing a good job and making a differenceí and that there were other aspects to think about to reduce noise and increase safety such as providing late night catering venues in the centre or indeed the pubs and clubs providing food later in the evening. This will be taken forward at a meeting convened by the Forfar Community Council after their summer recess.
Project Manager, Eileen McArthur commented; ëI am very pleased with the results of the campaign evaluation. It is great to hear that the residents who initially complained have experienced a reduction in noise and can now rest peacefully at night. I would consider this response from the residents being due to a number of things that have happened during this campaign and this includes a more raised awareness with the licensed trade around the management of crowds after their premises empty and also the fact that Tayside Police have increased their vigilance at these key times. The challenge now is to keep the impetus up and the campaign live in the minds of peopleí.
2009-03-05 09:47:51