Draft action plan to prevent and reduce major road traffic noise

The draft Action Plan, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Noise Directive covering a five year period, also provides an overview of the requirements and obligations of the Environment Noise Regulations and presents a summary of the results of the strategic noise mapping within Malta.

The adopted approach in this action plan is to manage and reduce environmental noise emissions and its impact at source through operating procedures and restrictions. The Directive does not cover and address noise pollution at the workplace, entertainment venues or construction sites. Neither does it regulate neighbourhood, firework or consumer product noise, noise nuisance and noise transmission between dwellings.

This plan was drafted on the recommendations given to the Authority by a team of noise experts that were engaged to assist in the implementation of the Environment Noise Directive, to prepare the required noise maps and to draft technical specifications for the supply of noise monitoring equipment

Although the current noise project which  was funded by MEPA’s own funds, the noise monitoring project, including the monitoring equipment and noise mapping software forms part of a larger initiative which aims to enhance Malta’s environmental monitoring infrastructure and capacity in the areas of noise, water, air, radiation and soil.

This larger project, worth over €4.9 million is co-funded by the EU's European Regional Development fund and the Maltese government under Malta’s Operational Programme I, 'Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of life.' The project started last year and is expected to be completed before July 2013.