MORE noise complaints are made in Edinburgh than anywhere else in the country, new figures have revealed.
More than 30 grievances were lodged with the city council every day last year, significantly more than Glasgow. But despite being the noise capital of Scotland, the city council said the reporting service offered was extremely efficient and urged re
sidents to use it when necessary.
The new statistics show just under 10,000 domestic complaints were made in the city last year – including reports of banging on floorboards and ceilings, excessive noise from neighbours or businesses and loud music.
A further 1900 non-domestic complaints were received, which covered things like the drilling of roads and vehicle noise.
Community safety leader Councillor Paul Edie said: "Residents who are being plagued with noise from their neighbours' loud parties or late-night DIY need not suffer through it.
"We have a well publicised, popular service which people know they can turn to when faced with noise problems like these."
West Lothian Council recorded 1843 noise complaints, East Lothian 455 and Midlothian only 187.
Although figures are not broken down into the specific root of the complaint, it is understood loud music and shouting, especially in flats, make up the bulk of representations.
Another problem is live music filtering through from pubs, which has led to some bars such as the Kenilworth on Rose Street and other city centre pubs based under flats giving up hiring entertainment.
Live entertainer Norval Barclay, 38, from Craigleith, said: "The council in the past has tried to put noise levellers in, which cut the electricity supply to the socket which the PA system is plugged into if it exceeds a certain level.
"This isn't the best way of doing things as they tend to respond more sensitively to tones rather than actual noise."
The figures were published by government agency Health Protection Scotland.
The Conservative's health and social care spokeswoman Cllr Kate Mackenzie said she found it strange Edinburgh topped the table.
She said: "The council does have a night noise team and perhaps people are more comfortable calling them when in the past they would have knocked on the neighbour's door. and asked if they would mind turning the music down a bit."
The full article contains 379 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
