A POPULAR Spanish holiday hotspot has announced tough new rules people making too much noise – and it could lead to fines of thousands of pounds.
Alicante is a favourite among British holidaymakers heading to Spain in the summer months, but anyone visiting could now find themselves on the end of strict new laws.
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The resort has announced its strictest-ever crackdown on noise pollution, which will impact on tourists and residents alike.
The city council is revising rules put into place in March 2019 and is warning of heavy fines ranging from 600 euros (£525) to 300,000 euros (£263,000) and closure of premises for anyone caught flouting them.
All aspects of daily living and business activities are to be regulated, even down to a ban on furniture scraping on the floors of bar and restaurant terraces.
Talking too loudly in your home and listening to music on beaches could also see people penalised.
Bars and restaurants will have to put special rubber pads on the feet of their table and chair legs so noise is muffled when they are put out in the morning and brought back in at night.
The regulations will require an acoustic study for activities that may cause discomfort and could lead to a reduction of hours in public establishments and leisure venues, including bars and eateries.
The rules include measures against noisy activities inside buildings, loading and unloading work on public roads and building works.
The Ordinance against Noise is currently going through the approval stage and will be endorsed on March 30.
A spokesman for Alicante city council said: “The new ordinance has a qualitative and quantitative character as it includes not only the traditional noise and vibration controls but also new definitions of zones, noise plans and maps, insulation, control measures and alarm systems, information and transparency.
“To this end, a publicly accessible web platform will be made available to citizens with all the information available in a single space.
“The standard, which is adapted to the broader and more current concept of “noise pollution”, also contemplates a control, inspection and disciplinary procedure adjusted, in any case, to what is established by state and regional legislation.”
Various meetings have taken place with residents’ groups who have complained that Alicante is too noisy.
The new regulations authorise the city council to temporarily reduce the general closing hours of public shows, recreational and socio-cultural activities and public establishments that inconvenience residents.
The new rules also aim to crackdown on excess noise from air conditioning, refrigeration equipment that produce noise and/or vibrations, building work, rubbish collection
Noise limits will be brought in for both domestic and farm animals.
Elsewhere, a popular Spanish island has announced some strict new rules of its own that will also affect tourists.
Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, will be limiting the number of cruise ships arriving on the island.
In 2023, and 2024, only three cruise ships will be allowed to dock at Palma’s port every day.
The plans were announced at a conference in Paris where tourism leaders agreed to a “quality over quantity” approach in regard to the island’s tourism.
Meanwhile, Menorca, one of the Balearic Islands, has been named one of the hottest places to be this summer – and it’s not just because of the weather.
Holidaymakers can travel around Spain for free this summer.
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