How Noisy?

Road & rail noise map for Norwich

City in Norfolk, Eastern

We analysed 4,928 postcodes in and around Norwich, Norfolk against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 26% of them (1,273) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and <1% have mapped rail noise. 74% 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 NR2 1BG (road noise 75.0 dB or more by day).

Noise map of Norwich

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55-59 dB60-64 dB65-69 dB70-74 dB75 dB+Unshaded = below the mapping threshold or not modelled (not necessarily quiet).

How many postcodes are affected?

Road noise

BandDay (LAeq,16h)Night (Lnight)
55.0–59.9 dB day · 50.0–54.9 dB night15% (724)7% (331)
60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night7% (351)6% (287)
65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night3% (169)2% (108)
70.0–74.9 dB day · 65.0–69.9 dB night<1% (26)<1% (5)
75.0 dB or more day · 70.0 dB or more night<1% (3)<1% (3)
Below mapped bands / not mapped74%85%

Rail noise

BandDay (LAeq,16h)Night (Lnight)
55.0–59.9 dB day · 50.0–54.9 dB night<1% (17)<1% (17)
60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night<1% (8)<1% (7)
65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night<1% (1)<1% (3)
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 night0% (0)0% (0)
Below mapped bands / not mapped99%99%

Share of the 4,928 postcodes within ~5 km of the Norwich centre. Source: DEFRA Strategic Noise Mapping Round 4 (2022), Open Government Licence.

Noisiest postcodes in and around Norwich

Check a specific postcode

Example searches: NR1 3BY · NR2 1BG · NR1 3PY · NR1 3DH · NR1 2BJ · NR1 2AF

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 Norwich?
We analysed 4,928 postcodes in and around Norwich, Norfolk against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 26% of them (1,273) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and <1% have mapped rail noise. 74% 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 NR2 1BG (road noise 75.0 dB or more by day).
Where is the most road noise in Norwich?
The postcodes with the highest modelled daytime levels in and around Norwich are NR2 1BG, NR1 3BY, NR1 3PY, based on DEFRA's 2022 model of major roads and railways.