Joe Morana, Sliema
Citizens setting up a Noise Abatement Society
Contributions from The Times readers, justly lamenting and protesting against noise pollution, are becoming a more frequent occurrence. Noise pollution consistently ranks high on the list of citizens' concerns, as like other forms of pollution, it is damaging to human health and therefore should be taken seriously.
Regrettably in our islands many citizens suffer from noise pollution caused by diverse human activities which include loud music by the entertainment industry, prolonged noise pollution by the construction industry which at times carries on to Sundays and public holidays, excessively loud unbridled fireworks starting from as early as 8 a.m., and traffic noise which includes road rage behaviour (honking) in traffic jams particularly in grid-locked urban areas etc.
Yet again, similar to other environmental matters, Malta trails behind in its EU obligations as regards measures to combat noise pollution. Malta's recent failure to submit a "noise map" to the EU commission is a case in point. Furthermore, the authorities very often lend deaf ears to public complaints on noisy nuisances and are conspicuous through their inertia and silence. For example, while in other EU member states every effort is made to reduce noise pollution caused by motor vehicle traffic, in Malta the local authorities turn a blind eye and turn deaf to the common everyday occurrences: excessively noisy vehicles of motorists who alter their vehicles' exhaust systems to accentuate their engines' drone/noise and similarly the loud music invading residents' homes caused by the entertainment industry.
Many also wonder and question why and how the police issue permits for fireworks allowed to start so early and why there are no limits as to the quantity, duration and noise levels of fireworks, whereby as the Maltese phrase kaxxa nfernali literally suggests, hell seems to break loose.
Why the inaction by the authorities against noise pollution? Are the authorities perhaps suggesting that citizens should resort to the law courts to safeguard their health and quality of life from the invading noise pollution?
Do the authorities expect us all to go through and suffer the same ordeal as the Senglea resident who won her court case against the persistent and excessively loud ringing church bells? Is this upgrade of our quality of life promised to us with Malta's membership in the EU?
A number of citizens are in the process of setting up a Noise Abatement Society in the belief that collectively better results can be achieved for a better less noisy environment.
Noisy nuisances do not get solved by themselves but through effective action. Persons interested in this initiative are invited to establish contact via e-mail anna@mara-mediterra.com.
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susanna callus
Jul 21st 2009, 08:54
As a long time sufferer of noise pollution i would like to voice my total agreement with the comments put up by various locals and tourists. It is high time that we as citizens strive to take action in place of a dormant authority. I believe that the majority of Maltese and tourists alike are fed up with our privacy being invaded by the unnecessary noise made by the selfish of the species. There is always strength in union and i am more than willing to participate in this initiative.
sheila halliwell
Jul 20th 2009, 18:52
What a breath of fresh air! Someone else bothered by noise pollution.Over the last to-and-a-half years we have been in an apartment in L-Istamnar, Qawra, which was absolutely superb. However the last 3 months we feel we live on a motorway/speedtrack. It being the first road to enter the middle of Qawra all and sundry drive(or should I say roar) up this street. As Joe Morana said 'Times 20th July' exhaust noise is horrific (try watching a film in really hot weather, windows open- no chance) coaches with engines running and hooting from as early as 7.30am. Construction vehicles, don't know where they are going, but oh how noisy.If you want to have a good night's sleep, tough , shut the windows and use electric fans or air-con, because the traffic is all night. Music i don't mind so much, and must say the two hotels Soreda and Salina Wharf shut it off at about 11pm. What must we do to get back to the peace and quiet of the Malta we love.Consideration has now gone, care for the people around you, gone.I for one will be emailing Anna to see what can be done.Tourists want peace also.
Joe Tabone-Adami
Jul 20th 2009, 16:48
And MHRA have the cheek to complain that 'fundamentals' like cleanliness and noise pollution are not being tackled by the authorities! Vide relative news item in to-day's issue - and readers' comments thereto!!
Henry J Bonett
Jul 20th 2009, 15:43
Mr Morana. Thanks for a cry from the heart of the much abused citizen. I am on record on this point and I once asked for specific answers from the police and other authorities through the support of this paper. None were given. Silence, sometimes, is the worst form of arrogance. It is indeed a pity that, more and more, it is becoming necessary for the citizens themselves to lead in these matters when they have elected others to do it for them and who are paid out of their money to do it for them. You have my full support.
Joe Bonnetti
Jul 20th 2009, 15:27
Residents in Ta' Xbiex often had some glass panes broken due to heavy fiesta bangs from feast days of surrounding area, yet the authorities do grant permits to use barges so as not to damage old heritage property on Manoel Island.
Yet very few resident had been consulted in a neighbor concern form if they object for the firing of such heavy explosives which sometimes can also damage not only buildings, but often can breaks window panes.
If church bells are sometime prohibited and stopped from being used, so should such fireworks.
joseph scicluna
Jul 20th 2009, 11:30
I may also add the inconvenience caused by the excessive huming noise by air conditioners which are installed in various residential locations causing a nusiance to various people and being detrimental to their health ..
john fenech
Jul 20th 2009, 11:16
Mr. Morana it is evident the authorities in Malta are just paying lip service about enforcing existing noise laws and have been dragging their feet since 2004 to provide the required information to the EU to implement Noise Directive 2002/49/EC. Which information should have been supplied in 2008 but now it is to be extended at least till 2010!
As a matter of fact I posted an email about this point and noise pollution in general to the TOM on the 11/07/2009 and so far it hadn’t seen daylight so I hope it is still on the waiting list!
M Eloff
Jul 20th 2009, 10:34
Thank goodness there is someone that agrees with me that Malta is one of the worst places to live if you are not a huge fan of noise.
As I am typing this response and while I was reading the letter issued by Joe Morana, I have now heard 7 people honking outside on Tower Road, 3 free flow exhausts and a motorbike that is in need of a serious service because it sounds to me like there was a hole the size of the big hole in Kimberly, South Africa, in its exhaust.
The noise in Malta is too much. The amount of loud cars, music and even people talking to each other in the streets is really loud. Never before have I been witness to people that are standing right next to one another, talking so loud to each other that you would swear they were in the middle of an Iron Maiden concert right next to the speakers.
I say fine those that make a noise and make this little island a nice get-away instead of a noisy annoying one.