The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife will undergo systematic surveillance of noise generated within its facilities, primarily addressing concerns raised by residents living in nearby residential areas. This initiative by the Port Authority will entail an investment of €74,900 for the upcoming year, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to enhancing environmental conditions for the communities adjacent to its operations.
This latest proposal, which adds to numerous initiatives undertaken significantly over the past eleven years, was ratified yesterday by the Board of Directors of Puertos de Tenerife during a regular meeting chaired by its president, Pedro Suárez. The contract has been awarded to the company AAC Centro de Acústica Aplicada. Suárez highlighted yesterday that one of his administration’s primary objectives is to “reduce the discomfort that noise production may impose on residents in the areas nearest to the port. We recognise that addressing this issue is challenging, yet, as a public entity, we must prioritise the well-being of citizens, striving to harmonise the essential activities of our port with enhancements in the related environmental conditions.” The Systematic Monitoring Service for Environmental Noise in the port aims to more accurately identify noise generated during various port operations, ensuring that its findings augment previous studies, which, in turn, will facilitate the implementation of suitable measures in areas where noise infringements are detected.
Three Phases
The project will be organised into three distinct phases. The first, to be completed within the initial six months of the contract, will establish the baseline conditions in the specific port areas under evaluation. To determine its effects on the regions around Francisco La Roche Avenue and the urban centre of María Jiménez, noise produced at the Anaga dock and the Eastern dock will be monitored at least annually.
The Los Llanos dock, the Fishing dock, the anchorage area near the urban centre of San Andrés, and the zone closest to the urban centre of Igueste de San Andrés have also been earmarked for potential monitoring.
Each monitoring campaign, with a maximum of two conducted per year, will involve continuous measurements for a minimum of two weeks across three different locations. The initiation of the second campaign will depend on the outcomes of the first.
The second phase will delineate the measurement parameters in detail, whereas the third phase will oversee the ongoing assessment of noise based on the campaigns conducted and evaluate the efficacy of implemented actions.
