Phase two of Innovation Commission for the Construction and Public Works Sector launched

©Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna

In February 2019, Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development, set up the Innovation Commission for the Construction and Public Works Sector. The Commission brings together all public and private stakeholders in the construction industry and concession holders (telecoms, water and electricity) in the Principality, as well as state officials.

The Commission has the following remit:

• to review noise pollution caused by construction sites in the Principality
• to monitor technical and technological developments in order to identify changes in international best practice
• to assess the feasibility of implementing the solutions identified in the Principality
• to draft recommendations for their implementation.

Following 10 months of work, a plenary meeting held on Monday 20 January provided an opportunity to review what had been done during the Commission’s first year.

While welcoming the work completed by the Commission, the Minister reiterated that reducing noise pollution remained a key priority for the Government, with clearer, stricter rules and monitoring, as well as a constructive dialogue with all stakeholders.

In terms of monitoring, Government departments have focused their efforts on three areas:

• Stepping up monitoring visits: as of December 2019, more than 2,300 site monitoring visits had been carried out by staff from the Department of Forward Studies, Urban Planning and Mobility, along with 840 audits of working hours since late October 2019. More than 160 anomalies, violations and failings have been resolved or are in the process of being resolved, and 59 complaints have been processed.
• Reducing the impact of construction sites on traffic and in terms of noise pollution.
• Limiting exemptions to those that are strictly necessary only.

Marie-Pierre Gramaglia emphasised that it was important to continue to look into new, less noisy techniques: “We must work towards the goal of ensuring that all sites use equipment that has proven to be effective.”

She confirmed that the ministerial decree on construction site noise would be amended during the first quarter of the year to make it clearer, more effective and more workable.

The Minister wanted more specific attention to be paid to the areas where construction sites border public roads, and particularly to barriers and pedestrian walkways. Finally, she announced the launch of a collective effort on phasing public and private projects, noting: “The Government’s objective is to better coordinate the impact of public and private construction projects and to make changes to schedules where necessary.”

In conclusion, the Minister thanked all of the Commission’s participants, emphasising that “cooperation, discussion and sharing the expertise of this working group are key to meeting people’s expectations and our joint commitment to improve quality of life in the Principality.”