S.L. 549.37 Art. 9Action plans.

(1) Not later than the 18th July, 2008 the competent authority has to draw up action plans designed to manage, within its territories, noise issues and effects, including noise reduction if necessary for:

(a) places near the major roads which have more than six million vehicle passages a year, major railways which have more than 60,000 train passages per year and major airports;

(b) agglornerations with more than 250,000 inhabitants. Such plans shall also aim to protect quiet areas against an increase in noise. The measures within the plans are at the discretion of the competent authority, but should notably address priorities which may be identified by exceeding of any relevant limit value or by other criteria chosen by the competent authority and apply in particular to the most important areas as established by strategic noise mapping.

(2) Not later than the l8th July, 2013, the competent authority has to draw up action plans notably to address priorities which may be identified by the exceeding of any relevant limit value or by other criteria chosen by the competent authority for the agglomerations and for the major roads as well as the major railways within their territories.

(3) The action plans shall meet the minimum requirements of the Fifth Schedule.

(4) The action plans shall be reviewed, and revised if necessary, when a major development occurs affecting the existing noise situation, and at least every five years after the date of their approval.

(5) Neighbouring Agreement States shall cooperate on the action plans for border regions.

(6) The competent authority shall ensure that the public is consulted about proposals for action plans, given early and effective opportunities to participate in the preparation and review of the action plans that the results of that participation are taken into account and that the public is informed on the decisions taken. Reasonable time-frames shall be provided allowing sufficient time for each state of public participation.