Being the smallest country in the European Union, Malta rarely takes top accolades for excelling in any determinate feat. In fact, when we outperform our pears in absolutely any field, the celebratory and self-congratulatory prose is immediately expected – and I must add, to an extent even warranted.

Sadly though, we do sometimes take top of the table for the wrong reasons, and one such embarrassing, albeit serious, record comes in the area of noise pollution. In fact, last year, Malta was the European Union’s noisiest country with well over 30% of residents in Malta declaring they suffered from some form of noise pollution.

Perhaps more worryingly, the figure is on the rise, since the same statistic stood at 26% in 2016. Moreover, the local trend runs counter to the European average which has otherwise seen complaints drop.

While the study is based on people’s perception and does not report a scientific measuring of noise levels, it still sounds a very loud alarm (forgive the pun), about a situation which is becoming extremely difficult to ignore.

Starting close to home. In my hometown of Attard, when the wind is just right, on most summer weekend evenings, the sound from neighbouring party venues makes it impossible for residents to leave a window open. The loud noise often goes on till the little hours of the morning, providing a real nuisance to residents who have all the right to get their daily rest in their homes.

Alas, this is only the cherry atop the noisy cake, as Attard has been contending with a disproportionate level of noise pollution for a very long time. Same as localities such as Msida, or Marsa, Attard just happened to be in the wrong place, with a very busy thoroughfare developing right in the middle of it. Apart from splitting the locality into two, damaging the social fabric, the standard of living of residents is seriously jeopardised.

Such situations are only made worse when the construction industry is thrown into the mix. It is safe to assume that every street in Malta and Gozo has a construction site, so any resident is within hearing distance of one or more building project. Is it fair to start works even before the sun is up? Is it fair to have works going on, on the weekends, Sunday included? Is it fair to have roadworks happening in residential areas at night? I do understand that the work needs to be done, but surely it mustn’t come at the expense of residents.

Once again, this issue smacks of a laissez faire attitude which profits those who take advantage of it. On a different level, yet of the similar kind, is the absolute cacophony of noise that unfolds every evening in Valletta. We have spoken already about the obscene extension of entertainment hours, allowing venues to play loud music till 1am in the morning. Though this is a very serious issue which remains completely unsolved to the rage of residents, it is symptomatic of a complete lack of appreciation for beauty and moderation.

Even during the day, sitting down for a coffee or lunch you will surely be bombarded by some sort of questionable music that often makes it very hard to communicate across the table. In certain streets where there is more than one venue, it quickly develops into a competitive tournament of who can play loudest, completely ruining the atmosphere of what could be one of the most inspirational backdrops for an enjoyable night out.

And we can’t really blame the authorities for it all. We do share a good chunk of the blame, as we seem to be incapable of staying in silence for a minute. At the beach, did you need to bring your own sound-system with you? Do you really think hearing your choice of questionable music is preferable to listening to the sound of the waves, the gentle whistling of the wind and the odd bird? Sure, let’s all listen to your playlist then – what did you say? Can you repeat?!