CPRE South East
Campaigning to Protect the South East's Countryside
Tranquillity is one of the most important qualities the countryside can give us. It's one of the biggest things distinguishing the countryside from cities. It can both inspire and calm us. It helps us get away from it all. CPRE has commissioned major studies of rural tranquillity and urban intrusion across England. We are campaigning to reduce the impact of development and transport on tranquillity.
Zones of Intrusion Maps
These maps measure how urban intrusion is eroding our countryside. The 2007 map shows that two-thirds of the South East is now suffering from urban intrusion. Click on the images below for a detailed map.
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1960s |
1990s |
2007 |
By urban intrusion, we mean land that is disturbed by the sight and sound of nearby roads, urban areas and major infrastructure such as power stations, power lines and railways. Developments on green fields erode and urbanise the countryside projecting noise and light further and wider. New roads slice through undisturbed landscape shattering their calm, and disrupting habitats and wildlife. Aviation growth imposes constant noise on tens of thousands of people and blighting the skies. Currently 50% of England suffers from urban intrusion; 67% of the South East. In the early 1960s, urban intrusion across England was just 26%, the South East 33%. Nationally an area the size of Greater London has been overshadowed by urban intrusion every two years.
Ranking of South East counties (1=most disturbed; 9=most tranquil):
- Early 1960s: 1 Surrey; 2 Berkshire; 3 Buckinghamshire; 4 Kent; 5 West Sussex; 6 Hampshire; 7 Isle of Wight; 8 East Sussex; 9 Oxfordshire.
- 2007: 1 Surrey; 2 Berkshire; 3 Buckinghamshire; 4 Hampshire; 5 West Sussex; 6 Kent; 7 Isle of Wight; 8 Oxfordshire; 9 East Sussex.
Further Information
All content Copyright © 2006-09 Campaign to Protect Rural England South East Region unless stated.
Published by CPRE South East, CPRE, 128 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SW. 020 7981 2800. Site design by River Tree Ideas.