Road & rail noise map for Chatham
Town in Medway, South East
We analysed 2,099 postcodes in and around Chatham, Medway against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 29% of them (609) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and 1% have mapped rail noise. 70% 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 ME4 4RJ (road noise 70.0–74.9 dB by day).
Noise map of Chatham
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 | 17% (363) | 5% (98) |
| 60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night | 7% (141) | 7% (138) |
| 65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night | 5% (98) | 2% (42) |
| 70.0–74.9 dB day · 65.0–69.9 dB night | <1% (7) | 0% (0) |
| 75.0 dB or more day · 70.0 dB or more night | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| Below mapped bands / not mapped | 71% | 87% |
Rail noise
| Band | Day (LAeq,16h) | Night (Lnight) |
|---|---|---|
| 55.0–59.9 dB day · 50.0–54.9 dB night | <1% (19) | <1% (18) |
| 60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night | <1% (5) | <1% (6) |
| 65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night | <1% (1) | <1% (1) |
| 70.0–74.9 dB day · 65.0–69.9 dB night | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| 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 2,099 postcodes within ~5 km of the Chatham centre. Source: DEFRA Strategic Noise Mapping Round 4 (2022), Open Government Licence.
Noisiest postcodes in and around Chatham
Check a specific postcode
Example searches: ME4 6BA · ME5 7AA · ME4 4RJ · ME4 4SJ · ME4 6BZ · ME5 7DU
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 Chatham?
- We analysed 2,099 postcodes in and around Chatham, Medway against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 29% of them (609) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and 1% have mapped rail noise. 70% 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 ME4 4RJ (road noise 70.0–74.9 dB by day).
- Where is the most road noise in Chatham?
- The postcodes with the highest modelled daytime levels in and around Chatham are ME4 4RJ, ME4 6BZ, ME4 6BA, based on DEFRA's 2022 model of major roads and railways.