Noise pollution
Council launches acoustic research project
JÁVEA town hall has launched a project to analyse acoustic levels across the municipality and identify specific sources of noise pollution.
Companies have been invited to tender for the drafting stage of the plan, which has a starting budget of €46,000.
The local authority sees the plan as a 'key tool' to combat problems caused by excessive noise - breaching certain limits would invite fines.
And a key area will be the Arenal beach, the traditional centre of entertainment in the resort town and a year round magnet for visitors.
The principle behind the move is to distinguish between rural and urban areas in Jávea; communication routes, industrial and recreational zones, as well as residential and commercial areas.
The company that submits the winning bid will have eight months to take measurements, analyse noise levels and identify their sources. It will also be tasked with assessing traffic noises - establishing levels for each street and prepare a diagnosis of the overall situation.
The overall objective is to establish an action plan to minimise noise pollution and establish control systems, aimed at reducing overall levels.
A town hall spokesman said: “A municipal acoustic plan is a key tool for managing problems generated by excessive noise and it will define specific measures to be taken in the fight against noise pollution; setting limits above which there will be sanctions issued.
“One of the areas that the council has a special interest in studying noise levels is the Arenal zone, which is where most of the entertainments are concentrated and consequently where most of the residents’ complaints originate.”
In addition, he said the town hall had staged a review of licensing and would fine premises that did not adjust activities to those authorised by the council permit.