THE NOISE OF CITIES [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The noise of our cities is increasing year by year. The distracting din on our heavily laden roads, especially on the more important highways in our large cities, is a very serious iiroblem. One can get accustomed to noise, it is said, bid even though we may think that we are inured to the thunder of traffic, it is sapping our nervous energy and exhausting our brains.
Heavy traffic there must be. And year by year the number of motor 'vehicles will steadily increase. The problem, there fore, is how to reduce the noise without interfering with the ever-increasing growth of traffic.
It is a striking fact that London, though it carries more heavy traffic than any other place in the world, is a com- paratively quiet city. It is almost silent compared with many of our northern towns, where the irritating rattle of iron tyres on granite setts is well-nigh unbearable. The comparative quietude of London streets is due to the fact that its roads are largely made of asphalt, the most silent material employed in road-making, Manchester has decided to follow London's example. The Paving Committee of the City Council realize the urgent need for reducing the noise of traffic. They feel that there should be more smooth and noiseless paving in that great city, and that the streets in the business and shopping centres, and also in the larger residential districts, should be paved with a quieter and more sanitary surface. Manchester is setting a good example to other towns.—I am, Sir, &c., Burwood Farm, Rotherfield, Sussex.
E. T. BaowN.
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