Trastevere residents complain of excessive noise.

Residents of Rome's Trastevere district have filed a complaint with the capital's prosecutor over the excessive noise levels in their neighbourhood at night.

The residents, comprising 16 local families, argue that they have a constitutional right to sleep. Their claim is backed up by environmental group Legambiente whose members recorded a noise level of 80 decibels at 01.30 on 22 April in Piazza Trilussa, a popular meeting place and informal stage for buskers performing amplified music. The figure recorded by Legambiente was well in excess of the 70-decibel limit for industrial areas.

Locals say that lack of sleep is having a detrimental effect on their mental and physical well-being, and have asked the prosecutor to force police into taking action.

In addition to Piazza Trilussa, the Trastevere residents complain of excessive night-time noise on Via Benedetta, Vicolo dei Cinque, Vicolo del Quartiere and Lungotevere della Farnesina.

City authorities are said to be currently assessing stricter regulations governing busking in the capital.