House on an A road
Discussion
chappj said:
Thanks for all the replies so far...
...I’m more interested to hear experiences from folks who have lived near a busy road to get a better sense of whether the noise gets to a point where it becomes unbearable or more like living near a flight path where you seem to not notice it after a few weeks.
For 15 years I happily lived near the M3 motorway. Not the same as you, i realise, as we didn't have to get onto it from our driveway, but from a noise point of view more than comparable....I’m more interested to hear experiences from folks who have lived near a busy road to get a better sense of whether the noise gets to a point where it becomes unbearable or more like living near a flight path where you seem to not notice it after a few weeks.
Our house was in a street parallel to the M-way, and the houses on the other side of our road had gardens backing directly onto the motorway verge. The noise was off-putting at first, but you definitely do get used to it. In fact when we went away we'd weirdly sort of "miss it" when it wasn't there in the background. And after a few years they installed acoustic fencing, and a few years after that a low-noise surface on not just lane 1 but all three running lanes.
I'm not sure I'd want to live on the road you described for a multitude of other reasons, but I don't think the noise alone would entirely put me off the idea.
chappj said:
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Some more info...
It’s a single carriageway A road connecting two rural villages. Speed limit is 40 mph. The house is just outside the village where it goes to a 30 mph.
As somebody already stated, the house is priced within our affordability because of its location. It would be 20-30% more if down a single track country lane.
Directly opposite the house is a bridleway/foot path leading to pretty much endless country walks. Countryside aspect from all windows and in a plot of 0.5 acres. Village cricket pitch next door. Nice spacious driveway with potential to build my dream 3 bay garage. There are many positives, but obviously the busy road is a major turnoff.
I’m more interested to hear experiences from folks who have lived near a busy road to get a better sense of whether the noise gets to a point where it becomes unbearable or more like living near a flight path where you seem to not notice it after a few weeks.
there are A roads and then there are AAAA roads. We live on a minor A road which gets a little busy from time to time(rush hour generally) but most times it's quite quiet. You couldn't pay me enough to live on the A12/A127A13 in east London.Some more info...
It’s a single carriageway A road connecting two rural villages. Speed limit is 40 mph. The house is just outside the village where it goes to a 30 mph.
As somebody already stated, the house is priced within our affordability because of its location. It would be 20-30% more if down a single track country lane.
Directly opposite the house is a bridleway/foot path leading to pretty much endless country walks. Countryside aspect from all windows and in a plot of 0.5 acres. Village cricket pitch next door. Nice spacious driveway with potential to build my dream 3 bay garage. There are many positives, but obviously the busy road is a major turnoff.
I’m more interested to hear experiences from folks who have lived near a busy road to get a better sense of whether the noise gets to a point where it becomes unbearable or more like living near a flight path where you seem to not notice it after a few weeks.
PositronicRay said:
White nose fades. Open the windows at night, it'll be just like waves lapping on a shingle beach.
It may be for someone used to it, but visitors might not feel the same.I've lived next to railway tracks before and those were no problem. Predictable and consistent so soon filtered out. A house on main road can be different. Relatives have a house on main road and in the summer the choice is roast in silence or open the window and get woken up at some point by random loud exhaust or (worse) moped buzzing past. I don't think I ever got a good nights sleep there.
If you're on a speed limit change, are you going to get lots of acceleration and overrun as people adjust to the new limit?
I daresay some would find it an acceptable compromise if it's the house is cheaper as a result and remember that when you come to sell!
Apologies if I have missed it, but has the house been on the market for some time, or only recently ?
Like others, one big concern must be the possible difficulty in re-selling some years down the line.
Also, is there any danger of the road becoming significantly busier as a result of development along the route, or other traffic that might be diverted down it permanently ?
Like others, one big concern must be the possible difficulty in re-selling some years down the line.
Also, is there any danger of the road becoming significantly busier as a result of development along the route, or other traffic that might be diverted down it permanently ?
chappj said:
I’m more interested to hear experiences from folks who have lived near a busy road to get a better sense of whether the noise gets to a point where it becomes unbearable or more like living near a flight path where you seem to not notice it after a few weeks.
Last house was the same, 30/40 metres from a dual carriageway A road - actually accessed via a cul-de-sac so we were 'side on'.The noise never bothered us at all, yes you could hear it when outside, but for us, part of the purchase plan was a full refurb with uprated glazing.
It was our 'forever home' - lovely big plot, our preferred area, scope to extend - the road never even entered our consciousness.
But life throws curve balls, and a job move (to another country) meant selling it.
Out of 40+ viewings the feedback was the same each time 'beautiful house, too close to the road'.
We did sell, the local market increase meant we weren't out of pocket, but it took the longest to sell of any property (despite being the nicest) we've owned.
So, did the noise bother us? No.
But should you be aware of the impact on resale (as many have stated)? Yes.
Caveat emptor and good luck!
I think its very personal. We lived near the A31 for a while & there was a fair bit between us & the road. You could still notice the noise if you listened for it. It really wasn't a big deal to me, but when we were selling recently there were a fair few people viewing that did remark on it. Now we live in a small off the beaten track village. What I notice now in the garden during the summer is the silence, nothing bar the birds. If the only way to get the size & type of house you want is near an A road, then go for it. You probably will get used to the noise.
We lived by a C-road that became a busy cut through, and I wouldn’t recommend it.
I’d advise asking yourself three questions:
1). It’s likely to get busier generally, and they may route more traffic that way in future. Would you be ok with the noise if it was twice or three times as busy, not just as it is now?
2). You’ll be leaving your house every day onto this road, including in rain and at night. If you’ve children, they’ll be playing near it. Home is where you feel safe. Do you think it’ll feel safe?
3). They say ‘location location location’ for a reason, and your doubts will be other’s too. Is it possible you’ll want to move promptly in the future?
As others have said, people do get used to noise, and it’s very personal. Personally, I’d avoid it and buy somewhere nicer, even if the house isn’t so great.
I’d advise asking yourself three questions:
1). It’s likely to get busier generally, and they may route more traffic that way in future. Would you be ok with the noise if it was twice or three times as busy, not just as it is now?
2). You’ll be leaving your house every day onto this road, including in rain and at night. If you’ve children, they’ll be playing near it. Home is where you feel safe. Do you think it’ll feel safe?
3). They say ‘location location location’ for a reason, and your doubts will be other’s too. Is it possible you’ll want to move promptly in the future?
As others have said, people do get used to noise, and it’s very personal. Personally, I’d avoid it and buy somewhere nicer, even if the house isn’t so great.
Edited by 67Dino on Sunday 19th January 09:02
Is there space for a decent acoustic fence and/or wall / thick hedges? All can take the edge off the noise.
40mph isn't much all considering, especially if the price reflects it.
Traffic will increase on that road, but pollution & noise realistically won't get any worse.
40mph isn't much all considering, especially if the price reflects it.
av185 said:
Anyone contemplating buying a main road property these days is very brave imo and I speak as a qualified gp surveyor.
Vehicle pollution will get worse before it gets better and respiratory problems are of increasing concern to buyers.
I disagree with this, the media love to portray us as dieing from vehicle pollution but the reality is vehicles are getting ever cleaner and BEV is on the horizon. The gains made in the last 5 years are incredible, and this is only going to continue.Vehicle pollution will get worse before it gets better and respiratory problems are of increasing concern to buyers.
Traffic will increase on that road, but pollution & noise realistically won't get any worse.
My wife used to live in a house by a main road. Most of the time it wasn’t too bad but on a rainy day you couldn’t even hear the television at times.
An ex used to live in a main road on hill. That’s even worse as all the clattery diesel taxis and buses used to have to go up in low gear and high revs.
And then you get woken every night by the occasional w
ker giving it the beans at two in the morning in his 1.2 litre Corsa with straight exhaust pipe.
Too many downsides for my liking.
An ex used to live in a main road on hill. That’s even worse as all the clattery diesel taxis and buses used to have to go up in low gear and high revs.
And then you get woken every night by the occasional w
ker giving it the beans at two in the morning in his 1.2 litre Corsa with straight exhaust pipe. Too many downsides for my liking.
chappj said:
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Some more info...
It’s a single carriageway A road connecting two rural villages. Speed limit is 40 mph. The house is just outside the village where it goes to a 30 mph.
As somebody already stated, the house is priced within our affordability because of its location. It would be 20-30% more if down a single track country lane.
Directly opposite the house is a bridleway/foot path leading to pretty much endless country walks. Countryside aspect from all windows and in a plot of 0.5 acres. Village cricket pitch next door. Nice spacious driveway with potential to build my dream 3 bay garage. There are many positives, but obviously the busy road is a major turnoff.
I’m more interested to hear experiences from folks who have lived near a busy road to get a better sense of whether the noise gets to a point where it becomes unbearable or more like living near a flight path where you seem to not notice it after a few weeks.
I've lived in a number of houses in London and most have been on quiet cul-de-sacs or somewhere tucked several streets back from any meaningful traffic.Some more info...
It’s a single carriageway A road connecting two rural villages. Speed limit is 40 mph. The house is just outside the village where it goes to a 30 mph.
As somebody already stated, the house is priced within our affordability because of its location. It would be 20-30% more if down a single track country lane.
Directly opposite the house is a bridleway/foot path leading to pretty much endless country walks. Countryside aspect from all windows and in a plot of 0.5 acres. Village cricket pitch next door. Nice spacious driveway with potential to build my dream 3 bay garage. There are many positives, but obviously the busy road is a major turnoff.
I’m more interested to hear experiences from folks who have lived near a busy road to get a better sense of whether the noise gets to a point where it becomes unbearable or more like living near a flight path where you seem to not notice it after a few weeks.
There was one I bought that was on a main thoroughfare and that was really noisy. From about 6.30 every morning it would statr. Cars, buses and trucks accelerating up the hill from the lights and past the house. The worst offenders were the empty skip lorries thundering past and clanking over the speed bumps. I'm quite a light sleeper as is my son and for at least 5 days a week were woken by the racket.
I then moved on to another quiet street and the difference was astonishing.
When doing the current place up I rented on a busy junction. This time the noise was from scooters with fart cans. Christ I could hear the f
kers for MILES at night. And in the morning when I opened my door I could virtually chew on the diesel fumes from the cars queued up outside.I suggest you hang around the road at rush hour in the morning and see what you think. It may seem idyllic at 3.00 pm in a Sunday but may be very different at 7.00am on a Monday
We lived next to a busy 30 mile an hour road for a number of years. When traffic was moving at or below speed limits it was tolerable - it could be described as 'white-noise'. Windows facing the road remained closed. It was the exceptional noise which was less tolerable - people driving at night well over the speed limit and high revs. - off road bikes driven with very little in the way of exhaust muffler - again during the night. Sports bikes with the riders pretending to be on the Isle of Man.
Traffic volumes also increased as developments were built within a few miles radius. As others have suggested, it was also harder to sell.
We now live on a cul-de-sac. Granted, we can hear the noise from a nearby bypass - but it's great to be able to sleep with the windows open and get a reasonably uninterrupted night's sleep.
Traffic volumes also increased as developments were built within a few miles radius. As others have suggested, it was also harder to sell.
We now live on a cul-de-sac. Granted, we can hear the noise from a nearby bypass - but it's great to be able to sleep with the windows open and get a reasonably uninterrupted night's sleep.
Edited by Chris Type R on Sunday 19th January 09:18
I live about 500 yards from a station on the Brighton Mainline. Very convenient for commuting.
House needed new windows all round so I specified acoustic glazing panels - the ones which are different thicknesses of glass.
Difference was night and day; we can only hear the trains in our new extension where we didn’t have it fitted, in the front of the house it’s silence. Further you massively notice the difference in summer when it’s too hot and you do have to have a window open in general noise.
So it does work, you might just want to consider AC for the bedrooms at some point so you can have the windows closed in summer. Otherwise thoroughly recommend. Cost me about another £700 ontop of a £3k Bill approx
House needed new windows all round so I specified acoustic glazing panels - the ones which are different thicknesses of glass.
Difference was night and day; we can only hear the trains in our new extension where we didn’t have it fitted, in the front of the house it’s silence. Further you massively notice the difference in summer when it’s too hot and you do have to have a window open in general noise.
So it does work, you might just want to consider AC for the bedrooms at some point so you can have the windows closed in summer. Otherwise thoroughly recommend. Cost me about another £700 ontop of a £3k Bill approx
One point OP is the road noise generally substantially increases when it is wet so check this out if you are still considering buying.
The other aspect that may or may not apply in your case is that trees in leaf provide a good noise barrier in the relevant seasons which many purchasers have found out to their cost once the leaves drop.
The other aspect that may or may not apply in your case is that trees in leaf provide a good noise barrier in the relevant seasons which many purchasers have found out to their cost once the leaves drop.
It depends on where the A road is and how busy it is I suppose .. there’s a big difference between the A406 and the A837 at Oykel Bridge 
I lived in Leyton in East London right on the A104 and it was 24/7 traffic and sirens
I then moved to out nr Epping where over the fields was the rumble of the M25
You get used to it and it doesn’t bother you
I now have a house in the middle of nowhere, where you can hear approaching cars a mile away
The silence was deafening at times .. and the dark, living in a city you don’t realise how dark the night can be
But I’ve adjusted to the dark and the silence now
Point is in a rambling sort of way .. you get used to it and don’t notice it
I lived in Leyton in East London right on the A104 and it was 24/7 traffic and sirens
I then moved to out nr Epping where over the fields was the rumble of the M25
You get used to it and it doesn’t bother you
I now have a house in the middle of nowhere, where you can hear approaching cars a mile away
The silence was deafening at times .. and the dark, living in a city you don’t realise how dark the night can be
But I’ve adjusted to the dark and the silence now
Point is in a rambling sort of way .. you get used to it and don’t notice it
Teddy Lop said:
av185 said:
Vehicle pollution will get worse before it gets better
how do you figure? Modern diesels (for all their faults) are putting out less s
t, petrols more in vogue and sos electric.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr0b9S8JMio
Edited by Dr Jekyll on Sunday 19th January 10:25
A lot of our country side is blighted with road noise.
We briefly considered this place, great value, decent views to the back, large garden etc. I reckon the road reduced the price by £150k.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMat...
https://www.instantstreetview.com/@52.253131,-1.75...
Main trunk road to Birmingham 50mph, lorries, buses, bikes, always busy.
A village close to us always felt like a bucolic backwater in the summer, protected from the main road by woodland. In the winter, leaves off the trees road noise intrusive.
We briefly considered this place, great value, decent views to the back, large garden etc. I reckon the road reduced the price by £150k.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMat...
https://www.instantstreetview.com/@52.253131,-1.75...
Main trunk road to Birmingham 50mph, lorries, buses, bikes, always busy.
A village close to us always felt like a bucolic backwater in the summer, protected from the main road by woodland. In the winter, leaves off the trees road noise intrusive.
Edited by PositronicRay on Sunday 19th January 10:39
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