Road & rail noise map for Oldham
Town in Oldham, North West
We analysed 1,284 postcodes in and around Oldham, Oldham against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 49% of them (624) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and 1% have mapped rail noise. 51% 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 OL1 3LQ (road noise 70.0–74.9 dB by day).
Noise map of Oldham
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 | 35% (452) | 7% (96) |
| 60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night | 10% (122) | 7% (87) |
| 65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night | 3% (42) | 2% (25) |
| 70.0–74.9 dB day · 65.0–69.9 dB night | <1% (8) | <1% (3) |
| 75.0 dB or more day · 70.0 dB or more night | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| Below mapped bands / not mapped | 51% | 84% |
Rail noise
| Band | Day (LAeq,16h) | Night (Lnight) |
|---|---|---|
| 55.0–59.9 dB day · 50.0–54.9 dB night | 1% (16) | 1% (14) |
| 60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night | <1% (3) | 0% (0) |
| 65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| 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 1,284 postcodes within ~5 km of the Oldham centre. Source: DEFRA Strategic Noise Mapping Round 4 (2022), Open Government Licence.
Noisiest postcodes in and around Oldham
Check a specific postcode
Example searches: OL8 1EZ · OL8 1NW · OL1 3LQ · OL1 2HD · OL1 3HQ · OL8 1QN
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.
Bothered by road or rail noise at home?
Acoustic and secondary glazing typically cuts perceived traffic noise dramatically. We're building a free quote-matching service with vetted installers — leave your email and we'll contact you when it launches.
Nearby areas
Frequently asked questions
- How noisy is Oldham?
- We analysed 1,284 postcodes in and around Oldham, Oldham against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 49% of them (624) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and 1% have mapped rail noise. 51% 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 OL1 3LQ (road noise 70.0–74.9 dB by day).
- Where is the most road noise in Oldham?
- The postcodes with the highest modelled daytime levels in and around Oldham are OL1 3LQ, OL8 1QN, OL8 2QP, based on DEFRA's 2022 model of major roads and railways.