Filenews 18 December 2021 - by Vassos Vassiliou
Tens of thousands of residents of Cyprus, mainly in large cities, are bombarded by sounds related to transport, vehicle traffic, etc. and efforts are being made to reduce the impact by drawing up noise maps.
In order to reflect the situation, large cities will be mapped, in order to show which areas are most vulnerable and which measures are appropriate to be taken in order to reduce the noise emitted, which is considered to have an impact on people's health from sleep disturbance and tension, up to the creation of serious health problems. The potential impact on human health is one of the new elements that will be attempted to capture with the new noise maps to be drawn up in the context of the fourth strategic noise mapping period. The new maps are also expected to reveal the number of people whose health is affected by the noise emitted.
The measures usually taken to mitigate noise are the formation of roads based on modern data, the reduction of speed, the one-way streets, the pedestrianizations, etc. which until today, where they were applied, have had positive results.
It is worth noting that based on the results of the third round of mapping, a total of 71,333 people in Cyprus live in areas where noise exceeds the average of 70 decibels set by the Department of Environment for a 24-hour period or the 60 decibels defined as the tolerable limit of noise for the night (11pm-7am).
More specifically, based on the previous maps prepared in 2017 in Larnaca, road, air and industrial noise (including the port) affected 5,226 inhabitants (percentage 5.4%), out of a total of 96,949 inhabitants of the city. In terms of evening (over 60 decibels) 5,548 inhabitants or 5.7% of the total inhabitants were affected.
In Nicosia, more than 70 decibels, 15,529 inhabitants (6.2%) out of a total of 248,130 inhabitants were affected by noise (road and industrial). During the night, 18,439 (7.4%) of the total inhabitants were affected.
In Limassol, 11,551 people (5.9%) of a total of 193,305 inhabitants were affected by noise (including the port) by noise (including the port) while during the night 14,727 inhabitants or 7.6% of the total were affected.
In Paphos, only 104 residents (0.2%) out of a total of 50,186 were affected by road, industrial and air noise. In terms of evening, noise with more than 60 decibels 0.5% of the total were affected by noise.
As explained to "F" by the Environmental Officer A'/ Department of Environment Mrs. Ioanna Konstantinidou, the aim of the new effort is, once the current situation is established, to take measures to limit the number of citizens affected by noises that come mainly from what is related to transportation / transport on the road network.
He also explains that the object of the Contract to be implemented is the provision of services for the revision of strategic noise maps and action plans for the urban agglomerations of Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos with a population of more than 100,000 people, roads over 3,000,000 movements per year, air transport of more than 50,000 movements per year and industrial facilities.
Ms. Konstantinidou said that the preparation of noise maps is an obligation arising from The Commitment of Cyprus to the European Commission, to prepare and submit the fourth round of the noise mapping strategy. The noise maps should be submitted to the European Commission by 30/7/2022 while by 18/7/2023 Cyprus must prepare action plans to address priorities due to exceeding certain limit values or based on other criteria for the main infrastructure and agglomeration.
The officer of the Department of Environment clarified that the law does not cover noise caused by the exposed person himself, domestic activities, neighbours, in the workplace, in transport or in military activities within military areas.
The Department of Environment is committed to preparing strategic noise maps and reporting to the European Commission every five years.
These areas will be mapped
According to Mrs. Konstantinidou, within the framework of the contract, the following areas will be mapped, in terms of noise emitted:
In Nicosia the Municipalities of Aglantzia, Ag. Dometiou, Yeri, Engomis, Idaliou, Lakatameia, Latsia, Nicosia, Strovolos.
The geographical coverage of the Limassol Agglomeration includes the Municipalities of Ag. Athanasiou, Germasogeia, Kato Polemidion, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, Ypsonas as well as the communities of Ag. Tychonas, Monagrouli, Moni, Mouttagiakas, Pano Polemidion, Parekklisia, Pyrgos, Tserkezi Tsiflik.
The geographical coverage of the Larnaca Agglomeration will cover the municipalities of Aradippou, Dromolaxia - Meneou, Larnaca, Livadia and part of the communities of Voroklini and Pyla. The area of Larnaka International Airport is also included.
The geographical coverage of the Pafos Agglomeration includes the Municipalities of Pafos, Geroskipou, Pegeia and the communities of Tala, Chloraka, Kissonerga, Emba, Tremithousa, Lemba, Mesogi, Mesa Chorio, Agia Marinouda, Acheleia, as well as parts of the communities of Konia, Koili, Marathounta, Agia Varvara and Timi.
Mapping back in time
Environment Officer A'/ Department of Environment Mrs. Ioanna Konstantinidou says that the first round of the noise mapping strategy was completed in 2008, the second in 2015 and the third in 2018. Specifically, the first round concerned the ceilings for roads where traffic of more than 6 million road traffic is recorded per year, for the agglomerates of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos. Accordingly, the second round concerned the thresholds, for roads where traffic of more than 3 million road movements per year was recorded, for the Nicosia and Limassol Agglomerates with a population of more than 100,000 inhabitants. The third round concerned the thresholds, for roads where traffic was also recorded over 3 million road traffic per year, for the Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Pafos Agglomerates with a population of more than 100,000 inhabitants.
According to Mrs Konstantinidou, when we talk about environmental noise, we must bear in account undesirable or harmful noises in the countryside generated by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, by road, rail and air transport and by industrial sites. The relevant legislation (L.224(I)/2004) also covers the noise to which people are exposed, especially in densely built areas, in public parks or other quiet areas of urban complexes, in quiet areas of the countryside, as well as near schools, hospitals, and other buildings and areas sensitive to noise.
