THE noisiest parts of Oxford can today be revealed by the Oxford Mail.

We have developed a unique noise map of the city showing how Oxford’s different neighbourhoods compare with each other.

The map was drawn up using the number of complaints about noise made to the city council in each area over the past year.

Drunken shouting, parties and student rowdiness were among the nuisance noises keeping residents awake.

The Carfax area was the rowdiest after 337 complaints last year. It ranked as the loudest area for the past three years. By contrast, St Margaret’s was the most peaceful place with only 19 complaints.

Carl Anglim, 25, said he moved to Gloucester Green to be in a bustling part of Oxford, but sometimes the noise was too much.

He said: “The main cause of noise is people drinking too much and at about 2am when they are being turned out of pubs. They don’t really have concerns for those in the area.”

Residents complained about noise in St Mary’s, which covers an area of East Oxford between Cowley and Iffley Roads, 147 times last year.

Churchill locals complained 126 times, St Clement’s residents 108 times and Quarry and Risinghurst locals 103 times.

Elizabeth Mills, chairman of Divinity Road Area Residents Association, said most of the problems in St Clement’s stemmed from a minority of students.

The 59-year-old said: “It can make life very unpleasant and it is particularly bad for families who have young children.

“It is as if some young students see these streets as an extension to their halls of residence.

“But there is a little bit of me that says if you don’t to want to be a victim of student rowdiness then do not move to Oxford.”

There were 2,149 complaints last year – down from the 2,596 the year before. From April 2008 to March 2009, there were 2,504 complaints.

Anthony Cheke, 65, of Hurst Street, in St Mary’s, has complained about loud student parties.

He said: “It would be fine if they stopped at midnight but they carry on often until three or four in the morning. Sometimes it’s music and sometimes it’s just drunken shouting and laughing.”

But noise complaints in the Cowley Marsh ward have halved. Last year there were 87, the year before 174, and the year before that 196.

Out of hours noise complaints are now fielded in a Cheshire call centre after the council cut its centre and five staff last year.

Oxford City Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “Oxford becomes a more densely populated city each year with a wide range of lifestyles and ages, which sometimes makes for problems especially where noise is concerned.”

She added: “Noise complaints can also increase if we have hot summers as people often want to entertain outside.”

“The majority of complaints that we receive regarding noise are successfully dealt with after we write to the person causing the noise. Many people don’t realise the impact they are having on their neighbours.”

Loud music, barking dogs and burglar alarms can all be dealt with by Oxford City Council.

The council’s website gives clear guidance about the types of noise nuisance it does — and does not — deal with.

Council officers will investigate neighbour nuisance, including loud music and parties.

Shouting, DIY activities and car alarms are also on the list, as are noise from pubs, nightclubs, colleges and restaurants.

But noise complaints not dealt with by the council include shouting and arguing in the street, fireworks and traffic noise, which should all be dealt with by Thames Valley Police, according to the council.

The noise of children playing is “not actionable by any authority”.

Also not actionable by any authority are day-to-day sounds including conversations, flushing toilets, mowing the lawn and vacuuming.

The council’s noise pollution line in office hours is 01865 252887 and out of office hours it is 01865 249811.