Brussels (The Brussels morning newspaper): Leefmilieu Brussel (Brussels environmental agency) is cracking down on noise pollution from the Zuidfoor fair fining rides that exceed legal limits especially at night to balance the needs of the fair and nearby residents.
Inspectors from Leefmilieu Brussel the environmental agency in Brussels have been checking the Zuidfoor a big fair in the city to deal with noise pollution. They have been inspecting not just the fair itself but also visiting nearby residents who complained about the loud noises affecting their lives. These actions were taken to address the disturbances caused by the fair. During the inspections the inspectors checked the noise levels to make sure they were not too loud according to the local laws. They wanted to see if the fair was following the noise rules and to fix any problems that could bother the nearby residents. The results of these inspections including any fines or actions taken are usually shared with the residents who complained.He said that this shows that Leefmilieu Brussel is dedicated to balancing the needs of the fair organizers with the comfort of the people living nearby making sure events like the Zuidfoor can happen without disturbing the community.
How is Brussels addressing noise violations at the Zuidfoor fair?
In a recent check five rides at the fair in Brussels were found to be breaking the rules about loud sounds according to Judith Verbist from Leefmilieu Brussel. These rules are meant to keep noise levels down especially late at night. Out of the five rides four were too loud after midnight and didn’t tell the city about their noise levels which they are supposed to do. Because of this these rides are facing penalties. The fines for breaking the noise rules can vary a lot from 50 euros to 62,500 euros depending on how serious the violation is. This includes factors like how much the noise exceeded the limit how long it lasted and if there have been any previous offenses. Besides the fines the rides could also be closed down if the violation is considered serious enough. This is a strict way to ensure that the noise regulations are followed and to protect residents from excessive noise especially during late hours.
Local resident Stin Bex who lives on PoincarĂ©laan has made several complaints about the loud noise in his apartment saying, “I often get no response.” On the other hand Tina Schuermans feels that the noise rules are being followed better now. She believes it really depends on where you live and hopes that the noise standards will be respected more after the Council of State’s suspension.
