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Plans for reducing noise levels in the UK's loudest areas will be drawn up, following a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) programme to produce noise maps.
All EU member states have to make the maps under the EU Environmental Noise Directive.
They show average noise levels over 24 hours as well as during night time only and how many people are exposed to the noise.
Environment minister Johnathan Shaw said: "They will provide a springboard to go forward and tackle unnecessary and unreasonable noise pollution.
"We will use them to draw up action plans to reduce noise where practical from major roads and railways, as well as from urban areas.
The plans will include measures to protect designated quiet areas from any increase in noise."
According to Defra, businesses could have to adopt measures such as insulating windows and redirecting traffic to reduce noise.
The Highways Agency already has policies in place to manage traffic noise and noise from industry is controlled through the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regulations and the Environmental Protection Act.
Development of the Defra action plans in response to the findings of the noise maps will involve public consultation.
