Noise levels in M3 4FH
Mapped noise here: very high road noise by day, high at night.
According to DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022), the postcode M3 4FH has modelled road noise of 75.0 dB or more by day and 65.0–69.9 dB at night. These are modelled estimates of noise from major roads and railways, not measurements.
Mapped noise bands at M3 4FH
| Source | Modelled level | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Road (day, 07:00–23:00) | 75.0 dB or more | Among the loudest mapped locations in England — comparable to heavy traffic passing right beside you. Expect noise to dominate outside and to need serious mitigation inside. |
| Road (night, 23:00–07:00) | 65.0–69.9 dB | Loud enough to intrude — think standing 10–20 metres from a busy main road. Conversation outdoors takes more effort; good glazing makes a real difference indoors. |
| Rail (day, 07:00–23:00) | Below 55 dB or not mapped | This location is not covered by a mapped noise contour — the source is below the mapping threshold or not modelled here. That is not the same as quiet: smaller local roads, neighbours and other sources are not included. |
| Rail (night, 23:00–07:00) | Below 50 dB or not mapped | This location is not covered by a mapped noise contour — the source is below the mapping threshold or not modelled here. That is not the same as quiet: smaller local roads, neighbours and other sources are not included. |
Source: DEFRA Strategic Noise Mapping Round 4 (2022), Open Government Licence. Modelled annual averages, not measurements.
Noise map around M3 4FH
What do these decibel levels feel like?
Decibels are logarithmic: a 10 dB increase sounds roughly twice as loud.
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.
M3 4FH is in or near Manchester — see the road and rail noise map for Manchester.
Buying nearby? How to check noise levels before buying a house.
Frequently asked questions
- How noisy is M3 4FH?
- DEFRA's 2022 noise model puts the loudest mapped source at M3 4FH in the 75.0 dB or more band. Mapped noise here: very high road noise by day, high at night.
- Is this a measurement of actual noise?
- No. These figures come from DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping Round 4 (2022), a computer model of noise from major roads and railways. It estimates average levels over a year, not what you'd hear on any given day.
- What noise sources are missing from this data?
- The model only covers major roads, major railways and large urban areas. Neighbour noise, pubs and venues, building sites, aircraft and smaller local roads are not included.