Trees and big shrubs also work as a noise barrier, but yes double glazing would be top of the list.

double glazing a must we had them put in and we lived on a main road they stopped a lot of road noise and also great for winter they are not cheep but a great investment will be better for resale and star rating

We too live on a main arterial though we have bush behind us on 1 acre & road noise worse when it rains. Thickly planted gardens help but playing music really helps to distract the ear. Noise is tricky as it travels over obstacles & rolls down the other side so fencing not that effective depending in our case.

Double glazing is fine if the doors are shut so we didn't bother as ours are open most of the time due to entertainment area on that side.

White noise is said to be effective which is an ambient background noise recording played back & is supposed to cancel out the unwanted din. Has anyone used it or know of it?

Clumping bamboo is an option( definitely NOT running bamboo!!!).....grow to approx four metres high to direct traffic noise up and over and all the small leaves help to deflect the noise, and the slight 'rustle' of the leaves in the breeze help to cover residual noise........just a thought.

Yes and bamboo is soooo expensive but we have often thought of this...40 metres block width x at least 20 plants $$$

LouieT, we have planted Alphonse clumping bamboo along the side of our house.....each pot of bamboo was divided into three clumps and is going great guns, will fill in in no time :)

Do you have a photo chubbychcky? What is the aspect as our back is mostly in shade & watering will be hard in that location.

Sorry LouieT, no photos yet.....bamboo is planted in a space about 2 metres wide and 9 metres long where it only actually gets midday sun due to houses and fences bordering it. It does need a bit of water to get it started though. I bought 3 smallish pots with plenty of canes in them and divided them up......some ended up with not much root, but they have all survived and growing more canes :)

If the noise is worse at night because it keeps you awake, then retrofit double glazing is probably the best. Bear in mind, you need the windows closed for it to work, so its not worth doing if you sleep with windows open, in that case invest in some organic bamboo earplugs!