Motorway noise

astronut

Quick question: I'm looking to move area (Kent to Cheshire) and a house I've seen on Rightmove ticks a lot of boxes, BUT is only a couple of fields from the M6, roughly 350m.

I know it's subjective, but what level of noise should I expect? I don't want to travel up there to look at a no-brainer! I am already living on a busy main A road, so used to background noise - just want a bit more info.

Thanks.

DVardysShadow

You will have to take a look - or a listen. Noise is subjective - OK, it can be measured in dB - but your reaction to it is subjective. And lots of local factors make it quite unpredictable how the noise actually travels. Even if someone living 2 doors away were to post their impression of the noise, your reaction to it would be different.

amcluesent

>but what level of noise should I expect?<

The prevailing winds are westerly, so if the house of 350m west of the M6, generally the noise will go away from the house.

A stand of trees will also absorb much of the sound.

clutton_2

you can expect a constant dull roar - where-ever you live close to the M6 - it never ever stops....

astronut

Thanks for the replies - I guess a look see/hear will always be better.

Charlton_Taz

I live much closer than that to the M4 (I reckon I must be at most 200m) and I personally don't find it much of a problem. As clutton said its like a dull roar..but as its constant it soon just becomes something in the background you don't notice. I think its a lot less intrusive than if you were say near a main road where cars were stopping / accelerating etc which would make more disruptive noise. There is a small tree/bushes boundary which shields the noise a bit. Certainly no problem having windows open in the summer if its too hot..and no problems using our garden. Would say it gets noisier in the winter though as the vegetation loses its leaves..but as I am not outside then it doesn't bother me. Also, if the house has double glazing you certainly won't hear anything at all when you are inside.

breadlinebetty

A lot of people actually like the background noise of a motorway believe it or not. It all depends on what you're used to.

DUTR

clutton wrote: »

you can expect a constant dull roar - where-ever you live close to the M6 - it never ever stops....

Except when the fuel (ban/shortage) was on, fark was it tranquil in the evening :j

RuthnJasper

I live a couple of fields away from a very busy road. I hardly notice it and find the only time it impinges is on the EXTREMELY rare occasion that there's an accident - the sirens and Air Ambulance helicopter, etc. That's happened just once in the past 18 months.

Now, my next door neighbour's electric guitar playing... that's annoying...!

Good luck with the move. x

astronut

Thanks everyone, at least if it's constant noise it won't matter what time of day I get to see it

martindow

It will vary a lot with the weather - wind direction and a wet road surface can make it much louder.

I think it is a personal thing as some people hate the noise whereas others do not seem to notice it at all.

Is the proximity to the motorway reflected in the price? It should be!