Belgium has not yet adopted noise maps or “noise“ plans of action. This is in breach of the European directive on environmental noise. This was confirmed today (Thursday) by the European Commission to the Belga press agency.
The Commission has served a formal notice upon the Belgian authorities.
The formal notice concerns the fact that Belgium has failed to adopt either noise maps or “noise“ plans of action for all urban centres, major roads, railways, and also for Brussels Airport.
This was indicated by the Commission which states that the notice has no bearing on noise limits which are already in place. The Commission is unable to go into further details at this stage of the process.
Belgium is not the only offender to be subject to Commission scrutiny for the lack of maps and action plans required by the directive on noise pollution.
Croatia has also received a formal notice, whilst Hungary has received a written notification giving reasons.
Belgium has two months to respond to the Commission, which will decide on the basis of such response, whether further action is necessary.
The Deputy Prime Minister (of the Flemish Christian Democrats) Kris Peeters announced yesterday the beginning of this procedure, essentially flagging up the fact that Brussels has not supplied an up to date map of aeroplane noise nuisance.
The Brussels Times
