Earlier this summer Tayto Park found themselves making news headlines when they were denied planning permission for a €14 million rollercoaster…
Earlier this summer Tayto Park found themselves making news headlines when they were denied planning permission for a €14 million rollercoaster. Sonitus Systems published an article about the noise implications for local residents and why the plan was ultimately refused due to noise concerns. Initially, Meath County Council gave the go-ahead but local residents voiced their opinions to An Bord Pleanala on what was thought to be another noisy addition to the incredibly popular but noisy theme park. The main objection was that the operation of such a thrilling roller coaster would increase noise disturbances in the area and thus impact the residents negatively.
The original rollercoaster plans were to include two separate roller coaster rides up to 1km in length and 31 metres high. Currently Tayto Park’s Cú Chulainn rollercoaster is 31 metres high and residents were concerned about having another large rollercoaster on site. There was also the fear that another rollercoaster (with two included in it) would triple the noise impact already felt by local residents. In the latest proposal according to Breaking News, the ‘Coaster 2021′ project is made up of a 31 metre high (same as the original plans) and 748 metre long Suspended Thrill Coaster (STC) and a 24.2 metre high 238 metre long Family Boomerang (FB) ride. A new planning application made to Meath County Council proposes noise reduction measurements with three noise retention tunnels to mitigate patrons’ screams on the rollercoaster at height and high intensity track positions. A decision on the plan is expected from the local authority towards the end of January.
This is not the first time such concerns have been raised regarding the impact of noise from amusement or theme parks and it isn’t always the local residents who complain. Earlier this year, Thorpe Park hit the headlines for opposing to plans for a new retirement home development nearby as it feared future residents would complain of screams from people on the rides. In the report, Thorpe Park bosses said they were considering legal action. Thorpe Park are obviously aware of the noise implications of their amenity on local residents and wanted to pre-empt and essentially avoid this.
Primary noise sources from theme parks will include operation noise but also the inevitable screaming and yelling from visitors to the parks. The screaming is usually the dominant noise with operation noise being a little less impactful to residents who live nearby busy parks. There are also several factors that impact noise in these parks including: ride duration, ride occupants and theme music dedicated to the ride itself. Queuing areas will inevitably have some level of noise while dining areas, shops and bathrooms will likely combine with the other noise impacts and therefore are not likely to be a problem. Noise monitoring and management is something of a headache amongst project managers and in the case of amusement parks, each one requires significant noise-reduction planning, monitoring and management. Tayto Park has taken the residents concerns on board and is engaging with them to find a solution that brings their new roller coaster to life. Positive and meaningful community engagement is an important element of any noise management strategy.
The team at Sonitus Systems routinely works on environmental, industrial, construction and entertainment noise management projects to reduce prolonged exposure to noise for residents. We work closely with our customers to help them capture the sound level data they require and turn it into the information they need. When it comes to noise, we can supply solutions that allow professionals to manage noise without dedicating extensive resources to the task. We provide the instrumentation and tools to measure and control sound levels so that noise is well managed.
Contact us to find out more about Sonitus Systems noise monitoring solutions.