Road & rail noise map for Bristol
City in City of Bristol, South West
We analysed 7,468 postcodes in and around Bristol, City of Bristol against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 27% of them (1,986) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and 1% have mapped rail noise. 73% of postcodes have no mapped road or rail noise at all — though that reflects major-source modelling, not guaranteed quiet. The highest modelled level we found is at BS1 2AF (road noise 75.0 dB or more by day).
Noise map of Bristol
How many postcodes are affected?
Road noise
| Band | Day (LAeq,16h) | Night (Lnight) |
|---|---|---|
| 55.0–59.9 dB day · 50.0–54.9 dB night | 11% (849) | 7% (494) |
| 60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night | 7% (557) | 7% (493) |
| 65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night | 6% (472) | 5% (368) |
| 70.0–74.9 dB day · 65.0–69.9 dB night | 1% (103) | <1% (54) |
| 75.0 dB or more day · 70.0 dB or more night | <1% (5) | <1% (4) |
| Below mapped bands / not mapped | 73% | 81% |
Rail noise
| Band | Day (LAeq,16h) | Night (Lnight) |
|---|---|---|
| 55.0–59.9 dB day · 50.0–54.9 dB night | <1% (54) | <1% (40) |
| 60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night | <1% (26) | <1% (32) |
| 65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night | <1% (7) | <1% (9) |
| 70.0–74.9 dB day · 65.0–69.9 dB night | <1% (1) | <1% (1) |
| 75.0 dB or more day · 70.0 dB or more night | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| Below mapped bands / not mapped | 99% | 99% |
Share of the 7,468 postcodes within ~5 km of the Bristol centre. Source: DEFRA Strategic Noise Mapping Round 4 (2022), Open Government Licence.
Noisiest postcodes in and around Bristol
Check a specific postcode
Example searches: BS1 4XJ · BS1 6QA · BS1 4XG · BS1 2AF · BS1 6PW · BS1 3BD
What this data does — and doesn't — cover
- Modelled, not measured.These are DEFRA's computer-modelled estimates (Round 4, 2022), not microphone readings at your door.
- Major sources only. The model covers major roads, major railways and large urban areas. Smaller local roads, neighbours, pubs, building sites and aircraft are not included.
- No mapped noise ≠ quiet. If a location shows no band, it means it falls outside the mapped contours — not that it is silent.
- 2022 snapshot.New roads, developments or traffic changes since 2022 won't show. The next DEFRA round is due around 2027.
More detail on the methodology page.
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Nearby areas
Frequently asked questions
- How noisy is Bristol?
- We analysed 7,468 postcodes in and around Bristol, City of Bristol against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 27% of them (1,986) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and 1% have mapped rail noise. 73% of postcodes have no mapped road or rail noise at all — though that reflects major-source modelling, not guaranteed quiet. The highest modelled level we found is at BS1 2AF (road noise 75.0 dB or more by day).
- Where is the most road noise in Bristol?
- The postcodes with the highest modelled daytime levels in and around Bristol are BS1 2AF, BS1 6PW, BS1 4XJ, based on DEFRA's 2022 model of major roads and railways.