The European Commission is preparing to take legal action against Malta over its failure to comply with the EU's Noise Directive, The Times has learnt.
A Commission official yesterday told this newspaper that despite various reminders, Malta has still not submitted to the EU detailed "noise maps" and action plans to manage noise levels in the worst affected areas.
"Malta is required to draw up strategic noise maps for major roads, airports and agglomerations, using harmonised noise indicators for different times of the day and night. These maps are to be used to assess the number of people annoyed and sleep-disturbed throughout Europe," the official said.
"Malta is also bound to draw up action plans to reduce noise where necessary and maintain environmental noise quality where it is good. However, until now, we are still waiting for Malta's response even if the island had to submit its plans by the start of 2007," the official added.
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas also indicated the start of legal action against Malta when responding to a parliamentary question submitted by Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil on this issue.
Mr Dimas confirmed that although the Commission has finalised its assessment of similar noise maps and action plans submitted by member states, Brussels is still awaiting Malta's response.
"The Commission is considering further steps to ensure that Malta complies with its obligations under the directive," Commissioner Dimas told Dr Busuttil.
The EU's Noise Directive does not mean that environmental noise will be eliminated in Malta, as the directive does not set any noise limit value and does not prescribe the measures to be used in the action plans. These remain at the discretion of the competent authorities.
However, through these noise maps Malta will identify the most noisy areas on the islands and draw up action plans to try to do something about them.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority, which is responsible for this directive, is still compiling the necessary data.