Sleepless nights
Several readers have complained recently about the unacceptably loud outdoor discotheques which plague our nights several times a week in summer.
This is not a new situation but one which has been allowed to carry on for years, at the expense of those of us unfortunate enough to live within a 5km radius of two discotheques in particular – Gianpula and Numero Uno.
Reports to the police, letters to the newspapers and complaints to local councils have made no difference whatsoever. Last week, for example, we phoned the police station in Mdina to complain about a Ta’ Qali disco (MFCC or Numero Uno) which was so loud that it was impossible for us to sleep. The policeman on duty admitted that we were not the first to report this.
A few days later, we had to call the Rabat police station at 4.20 a.m. as the Gianpula DJ was still playing deafeningly loud music involving heart-thumping drum and bass sounds, which resulted in another sleepless night.
The police claim that they respond to public complaints but can do little to change the actual situation, given that permits have been issued.
I feel that the following questions deserve an answer:
1. Why should such outdoor discos be given permits until early morning when it is obvious that many people in Rabat, Mdina, Attard and Żebbuġ have to suffer such an assault on their eardrums two or three times a week?
2. What entity is responsible for issuing the permits and what is their justification?
We are aware that other people have complained about similar circumstances in other localities, so this is actually a nation-wide problem that must be addressed. We are sorely in need of a national policy to remedy this ongoing abuse of the rights of the ordinary citizen. A contributor to The Times mentioned the initiative of the Attard mayor who is asking the public to sign a petition to register the fact that we have had enough.
This is an excellent start but mayors from all the affected localities should also join in since it is high time for some coordinated pressure on the authorities to restore the right of all citizens to a good night’s sleep.
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C Vella
Aug 9th 2012, 21:13
Is there no such thing in the EU regulations about Noise Polution.
I am in M'Scala right now and I have noise coming from the pitch, noise coming from Awwista, and earlier noise coming from Siberia. Last week I could not take it anymore and left to sleep in my house in Attard, mistake of my life, I was awake all night with music coming from Numero Uno or Gianpula. I want to sign the petition of Attard mayor. Please let us take a stand.
M. Hills
Aug 9th 2012, 09:33
There seems to be a general idea amongst these loud heart thumping entertainment organisers outdoors and indoors that the louder means "more fun" ..you have it at weddings as well...about three weeks or so ago we were walking in Senglea towards the Gardjola to have a look at the view from there...we heard the thumping but did not know where it was coming from but soon enough we saw a disco jockey with his apparatus on the steps of the Gardjola playing at a high decibel and singing to it too a little out of tune and obstructing the entrance to the Look- Out...Stopping out ears we made for the exit as fast as we could...There were other loud singing voices and thumping sounds coming from across the harbour from the Valletta Water Front and a loud Tombola from Birgu..I ask you, what sort of environment of peace do children have to concentrate on homework or any body else to relax??
James McIntosh
Aug 8th 2012, 19:01
People making an "informed decision" may well be allowed to frequent these overly loud events but whether the organisers like it or not, they have a LEGAL REQUIREMENT to ensure that noise levels do not endanger employees hearing. There is NO GET OUT clause for this, it is enshrined in EU Employment Law to which Malta is a signatory. So it is an offence against Occupational Health and Safety Law that they are committing, which is actually a crime for which there are statutory punishments. It is only the ineffective powers of the senior police authorities that are condoning or even encouraging these law breakers, perhaps there is some form of private interest or privilige. One can not draw another reasonable conclusion.
paul camilleri
Aug 8th 2012, 16:19
@Simon Robinson
this may be the case but are you sure that they have been informed of the dangers of high volume by the orginisers????
Lucienne Dimech
Aug 8th 2012, 16:13
When it comes to issuing permits for senseless noise no authority seems to shoulder any responsibility. It seems many have a lot to lose
Anthony Borg
Aug 8th 2012, 15:32
If this year's spate of letters in the press, reports to the Local Councils and to the Police do not bring a change in this abuse on our right to a restful night's sleep, then I conclude that there is no upholding of the Law in Malta.
Anthony Borg (H'Attard)
M Attard
Aug 8th 2012, 15:46
Of course there is no upholding of the law in Malta! This island has become a free-for-all country, where those who dare win. The authorities are all one big joke, passing on the buck from department to another, and never taking any concrete action. Public presence is non-existent, arrogance reigns supreme and the bad are rewarded.
The only thing you and I can do about this sad story is to either emigrate or NOT VOTE.
Anthony Borg
Aug 8th 2012, 20:24
Rightly so Mr.Attard.
Guess I will be one among those in queue of NOT VOTING in the spoof billboard.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120806/local/Battle-of-the-spoof-billboards.431664
Anthony Borg
Aug 8th 2012, 10:12
Agree with you. Can any competent authority reading this letter give us some answers, please??
GL Calleja
Aug 8th 2012, 17:27
The competent authority are the ones that issued the permits in the first place. Hope that answers your question. The real competent authorities are the proprietors of these establishments Mr Borg.
paul camilleri
Aug 8th 2012, 10:11
i think the police are just making excuses so as not to cause a panic with the people at these Disos.
if the police want to take action they can if it isn't for loud music then they can use another reason, such as health and safety to the employees of the disco who i am 100% positive do not have ear protection ( except for the DJ)
also they can issue a warning or even reduce the sound level because the noise level being played is a health hazard to the people attending the Disco
besides these there are many more other reasons that the police may intervene if they so wish to do so!!!!
Simon Robinson
Aug 8th 2012, 13:09
FYI HSE regulations do not apply to 'persons who make an informed decision to attend an event with high levels of noise'
Please choose the reason of your report below: