Shard skyscraper noise reduction efforts win national award

Cllr John Friary, Southwark's cabinet member for community safety, joined Southwark officers at the House of Lords this week to collect the award.

The awards are named in honour of the Noise Abatement Society's founder, John Connell OBE, who successfully lobbied the Noise Abatement Act through Parliament in 1960.

Southwark Council, Temple Group and Mace won the Silent Approach Award for their work to protect local residents and businesses from disturbance during the construction of the Shard skyscraper at London Bridge.

The measures that the council, the construction contractor and their consultants have put in place at the Shard have already become a template for other major urban construction sites.

Despite the measures taken, local residents have still been disturbed by night-time noise from the construction site.

Southwark environmental health officer Alan Blissett also received a lifetime achievement award from the society in recognition of his work during 47 years in noise mitigation and prevention.

Since stepping down from management in 2007 he has worked for environmental protection through major planning and redevelopment schemes, construction management and premises licensing.