Between the honking car horns from residents who’ve been blocked in by other cars, to the neighbour across the street’s blaring television, it’s not entirely surprising that Greece has been given a recommendation from the European Commission with regards to noise pollution. After all, it doesn’t take long in the centre of Athens for someone to understand that the car horn for Greek drivers is the means to react to almost everything that bothers them. Whether it’s the general financial situation of the country or the driver infront who didn’t go immediately as the traffic light turned red to green.
Noise Pollution around Europe
But we’re not alone, as the European Commission is calling on Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia to comply with their obligations under the Noise Directive.
The European Commission has decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of warning to these six countries for failing to comply with their obligations under the Noise Directive.
It should be noted that the noise directive specifies levels of noise pollution and triggers the necessary action in response, such as appropriate urban planning and noise protection measures.
What does it involve?
The noise directive requires member states to adopt maps showing noise exposure within the largest urban agglomerations, along main rail and roads and major airports.
Strategic noise maps are the basis for defining measures in noise action plans, which are intended to help reduce noise pollution.
What we forgot?
Member States are also required to inform the Commission of the findings of the strategic noise maps so that it can draw up a report showing the state of noise exposure and noise pollution in the EU. However, Greece and the other five countries did not submit all relevant information on strategic noise maps, including population exposure to noise to the Commission.
For this reason, the Commission is sending a letter of formal notice to Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings of the noise pollution highlighted by the Commission. If the European Commission does not receive a satisfactory answer, they may decide to send a reasoned opinion.
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