text: UK lowers noise limits for three London airports . LONDON 1996-08-28 The British government on Wednesday lowered the noise limits for London 's Heathrow , Gatwick and Stansted airports and announced it would make a bigger effort in detecting and fining violators . The limits , effective from January 1 , 1997 , are reduced as much as possible while still complying with international obligations , a spokesman for the Department of Transport said . The maximum noise level during the day is trimmed by three decibels to 94 , while the night time level is reduced by two decibels to 87 . " It is a smaller reduction in terms of loudness than was sought by local people . Nevertheless I am satisfied that the overall benefits will be worthwile , " Lord Goschen , minister for aviation , said in a statement . The ministry said it believed the new limits could be met with existing aircraft . " They can be flown in quieter ways , " a spokesman said . The reduction in noise levels is the same as proposed in a consultation paper which was published in October 1995 . The present noise levels have applied at Heathrow , one of the world 's busiest airports , since 1959 and at Gatwick since 1968 . The number of monitors will be increased and some will be repositioned to detect noisy planes . -- London Newsroom +44 171 542 7717