Recently, many letters, as well as editorials, have appeared in the local media about the problem of noise pollution in Malta. They refer specifically to fireworks, church bells, traffic, stereos in cars, and construction sites as being the sources of loud and unpleasant noise. I would like to add another pollutant to the list.

Indeed, writing this letter, at midnight on a Friday, I can hear, and feel, the loud throbbing of disco music shaking the whole house. And, sadly, I know that this will go on and on until at least 6 in the morning. In these circumstances, trying to get a good night’s sleep in one’s own home is in itself a nightmare. Obviously, my family and I find it very difficult to sleep well under such conditions.

Believe it or not, we live in the centre of Zebbug, and the source of noise pollution is miles away, just underneath Rabat. It is the open-air disco at Gianpula. The “music” is so loud that it drifts all the way to the centre of Zebbug and, depending on the wind direction, it is often still loud enough when it gets here to keep all of us awake all night.

Of course, it is obvious that this state of affairs is extremely unhealthy and, in the long run, is bound to have extensive negative physical and psychological effects. The music must be unbearably loud for the patrons who frequent this place and they will probably feel the consequences of this exposure later on, when it is too late. However, these people expose themselves to these dangerous decibels of their own free will; but we do not. We have no choice, and we cannot turn the loud, thumping music off.

A number of pertinent questions come to mind:

Who has given the owners of Gianpula permission to terrorise the people who live in the area around their disco?

Is there a “legal” limit on how loud the speakers used in open-air discos should be?

Are there any restrictions on where and when such open-air discos can operate?

Are the authorities aware of the fact that these discos, and this one in particular, are harmful to family life and to people’s health?

Should open-air discos be allowed to operate in such a densely over-populated island like Malta?

I think that anti-social, selfish businessmen and women should not ever be given permission to operate open-air discos in Malta. I am in no way saying that whoever goes to these discos should be deprived of his/her entertainment and adrenalin surge. On the contrary, I think that people should have a good time; but not, however, at the expense of my family’s well being, and that of many others. People who are keen to invest in such enterprises should be obliged to build soundproof and air-conditioned premises.

I feel that both MEPA and the police, or whoever is responsible for such monstrosities (the MTA?), should immediately revoke any permits they might have issued. They should not allow a handful of sharks bully decent people who need to have a good night’s sleep. The fact that it is possible for an individual or a group of individuals with loads of money and power, also within the media, to intentionally destroy the lives of so many, and get away with it, shows the hypocrisy of an uncaring government that claims to place the family at the centre of its policies, but then allows businesses to destroy families indiscriminately.

Indeed, how would the owner of this disco, who is getting rich at the expense of my health and my family’s health, and that of many others who live around here, like it if I turned up with my car right next to his villa and turned up the music on my stereo as loud as possible from 11 in the night to 6 in the morning every weekend? If they don’t mind the fracas, all they need to do is send me their address, and I will gladly oblige. Of course, they can probably afford to have double or triple glazed windows and air-conditioning to protect themselves. However, I must say that closing myself inside an artificially aired room is not my idea of a healthy good night’s sleep.

I hope that my complaint will not fall on deaf ears, as is often the case in this maltreated island of ours. Can the police authorities give your readers one good reason for allowing Gianpula to operate an excessively loud open-air disco every weekend (and sometimes also during the week) till 6 o’ clock in the morning to the detriment of the people who live in the area. Indeed, I challenge the owner of the disco in question to answer this letter and defend his/her position. People are entilted to their peace and quiet, at least between 10 in the evening and 6 in the morning, and the authorities have a responsibility to guarantee that their citizens can have a restful night.

Ray Fabri

ZEBBUG