Locals contest relaxed noise limits at Foire du Midi

The City of Brussels has voted to increase permitted noise levels at the capital’s annual Foire du Midi after 22.00 from 75 to 78 decibels.

The maximum noise level is intended for the start-up warning sounds of the attractions, with Brussels alderman for economic affairs Didier Wauters (Les Engagés) saying "the start and end signals for certain attractions should remain clearly audible to guarantee safety of all users".

He added: “That is why Brussels Environment has proposed a tolerance of up to 78 decibels, and this level will only be applied during the moments when sound signals are needed for a few seconds.”

The ban on amplified sound after 22.00 will not be affected, and permitted noise levels before 22.00 will be reduced from 95 to 90 decibels.

But residents living near the Foire du Midi, this year taking place from 19 July to 24 August, are concerned about the noise pollution. They protest that “there was no consultation”, although this is something that Wauters disputes, citing several meetings with local residents and fairground operators.

Neighbourhood associations also say that there is now no chance to alter the ruling, as only a few weeks remain before the funfair opens and the municipal council breaks for summer. They add that the three decibel increase is a significant increase in the noise intensity, since levels are measured logarithmically, not linearly.

In other words, the change of a certain number of decibels (in this case three) represents a multiplicative change in the underlying quantity being measured, rather than an additive one.

People living on Boulevard Poincaré, Boulevard du Midi and Boulevard de l’Abattoir point out that they have challenged the noise standards for years. They say that the change will result in a lack of sleep, adding: “For a neighbourhood already under pressure, that means weeks of tension, fatigue and discouragement every summer.”

Last year, local residents went to the Council of State to challenge the noise standards, but they will not do so this year.

Meanwhile, Wauters said any next Brussels government must draw up a new noise decree, adding: “Only then will there be precise rules that we can follow.”

However, when this government might see the light of day is anyone’s guess. It is now more than a year since the June 2024 elections.

In an informal poll carried out by Bruzz, 81% surveyed said the Foire du Midi was too noisy. However, most interviewees also said that residents should think where they wanted to live before opting to buy or rent in the area, given that the event occupied the same location at the same time every year.