The Department of Sustainable City and Planning of the Puerto de la Cruz Town Hall has already received the Acoustic Study and Zonal Plan for Areas Sensitive to Noise commissioned in 2022 to define the places with the most problems of noise pollution. This noise map in the tourist city highlights four streets that, for different reasons, have become the noisiest in this city: La Marina, Mequinez, Blanco and Zamora streetsfour urban roads in which leisure activities and traffic often cause inconvenience to residents and visitors.
After the measurements at the different sampling points established by the professionals in charge of this study, it has been determined that they are regularly exceeded. Acoustic Quality Objectives in various periods and points in the semi-pedestrian meknes street, which crosses La Ranilla and has become a reference place for leisure and restaurants, with abundant terraces; the white streetbetween Nieves Ravelo and Doctor Ingram, where leisure activities and intense traffic coexist; the street of the Marinanext to the Plaza del Charco and the pier, which has several very popular terraces and is also very busy with vehicles and pedestrians, and Zamora streetbetween Valois street and Paseo de San Telmo, usually congested by the traffic that accesses the center of the town.
The solutions include regulating schedules, avoiding abuse and organizing awareness workshops
Among the most significant emissaries of noise, the authors of this study highlight the existence of activities with a terrace, activities with music and high traffic. These conclusions are drawn after the analysis of 20 points in which road traffic noise measurements have been made with the simultaneous counting of vehicles. At all points, measurement and accounting have been carried out in the three evaluation periods (day, evening and night). In addition, in all these places measurements have been made on weekdays and the eve of holidays or weekends. A total of 120 measurements have been made.
David Hernandez (ACP)Councilor for Sustainable City and City Planning Puerto de la Cruz Town Hallhighlights the importance of having this tool to address the problem that is being suffered with noise pollution in the municipality: «The results provide objective, rigorous information and some recommendations in light of the current situation that will allow us to protect the areas most sensitive to noise. through an action plan that provides a comprehensive response towards a more sustainable development for this city. A city in which the right to rest is not at odds with the leisure and life of a tourist municipality”.
Terraces, traffic and music are the main causes of noise pollution
Among the solutions that this study proposes, David Hernandez It highlights the regulation of public services schedules, the regulation of schedules and uses in the hotel activity in accordance with the ordinances, the analysis of existing licenses and their adaptation if necessary, or the acoustic mediation and awareness workshops.
For the elaboration of the acoustic zoning proposal of the study area, the basis was the General Planning Plan (PGO) in force and also what is stipulated in Royal Decree 1367/2007, of October 19, which develops Noise Law 37/2003«in relation to acoustic zoning, quality objectives and acoustic emissions».
The main criteria used to determine the main uses associated with acoustic areas have been the differentiation of sectors for residential use, sectors with a predominance of recreational use and shows, natural spaces and areas for health, educational and cultural uses that require special protection against noise pollution.
