Maps reveal 'Britain's Noise Nuisance' hotspots
As the government aims to deliver £411bn of major infrastructure projects as well as fast-track new fracking applications around the country, there are concerns about the effects related noise can have on people's health.
In "Britain's Noise Nuisance", the Tonight programme looks at a number of projects where concerns have been raised about noise levels for local residents.
Noise is thought to cause over 43,000 hospital admissions and 10,000 premature deaths across Europe every year.
ITV News consumer editor Chris Choi also reveals how noise can affect people’s health - even when they sleep.
Professor Stephen Stansfeld, from the Queen Mary University of London, is an expert on the effects of environmental noise on health.
He says exposure to noise "causes an increase in your body's physiological arousal, so your heart rate goes up, your blood pressure goes up".
Official noise maps are aimed at identifying those most at risk of suffering from the effects of exposure to sources of noise, so that action can be taken to address the issue.
However, a Freedom of Information disclosure in response to a request submitted by Tonight reveals gaps in the government's noise reduction policy:
It also revealed in more than half of locations where a decision has been made that noise reduction measures would be possible, beneficial action was turned down due to lack of funds.
National noise maps of Britain commissioned by the Tonight programme from location intelligence experts Groundsure show the locations of current and new noise sources.
Tonight: Britain's Noise Nuisance will be broadcast on ITV at 8.00pm