Infringement of European law on noise pollution in Oviedo, Mieres, Pola de Lena and Olloniego

6.10.2014

Question for written answer E-007570-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ángela Vallina (GUE/NGL)

For years, residents of the municipalities of Oviedo, Mieres, Pola de Lena and Olloniego (Asturias) have been asking for action to end the noise pollution from road traffic along the A-66 motorway close to these towns. In 2012 Spain’s Ministry of Public Works, which is responsible for building and maintaining the motorway, approved a project to erect sound screens, as well as other initiatives to draw up the second phase of strategic noise maps of roads belonging to the national network in Cantabria, Galicia and Asturias. However, this work has still not been carried out, although it is urgently needed by the local population (according to the national road network's sectoral road plan for 2005-2012, some 36 400 people are affected).

1. What is the Commission’s stance on this matter, given the lengthy period of infringement of the maximum noise levels (65 decibels by day and 55 at night) set out in Royal Decree 1367/2007 on noise, which transposes into Spanish law Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise, and of the World Health Organisation's recommendations?

2. In light of Article 35 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, on healthcare, does the Commission intend to open proceedings against Spain in relation to this matter?