Noise ban threat lingers on

The threat of noise legislation is still hanging over the trade despite a partial victory in Europe.

Although threatened amendments to proposed noise legislation have been dropped, the trade has been warned not to give up the fight against the law.

It had been recommended by Danish MEP Helle Thorning-Schmidt that acceptable noise limits for staff should be dropped to 83 decibels - a similar level to that experienced when driving on a motorway.

Earlier this month she withdrew her recommendation after being bombarded with letters from angry British licensees.

MEPs voted to continue with the original proposal, which recommends dropping acceptable noise limits from the current 90 decibels to 85 decibels.

But Derek Andrew, sales director at Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (W&DB), has warned this would still have an effect on the pub trade.

W&DB has written to all MPs and MEPs in the area covered by the Midlands British Beer and Pub Association warning them there are still "major problems" with the directive.

Under the directive, noise levels could be monitored on a weekly basis, then averaged. But an amendment says averaging should only happen in exceptional cases.

"If the final law was drawn up on this basis, it would mean each individual pub would need to produce evidence of noise levels in each hour of each day in each room where the employee work and then make the application for averaging," Mr Andrew said.

According to W&DB, if the application failed it could mean noise levels being reduced by two-thirds.

W&DB has asked MEPs to consider removing the amendment or reinstating an amendment that excludes the pub and leisure industry from the directive.

If this is not done, the company has asked them to vote against the report when it goes before a full Parliament later this month.

"The health and safety of our employees is presently protected by existing enforcement and the investments made by our industry," Mr Andrew wrote to MEPs.

"But we also care about our livelihood and survival as an employer of thousands of your constituents."

Related stories:​

European noise reduction proposals dropped (14 February 2002)

BBPA joins protest over European proposals to limit pub noise (4 February 2002)

European noise reduction proposals debated (25 January 2002)

Trade hits out at 'straight banana' proposal that could end pub music (17 January 2002)