Prague resident goes on hunger strike against noise pollution

A Prague resident has gone on a hunger strike in protest against the constant noise pollution that disturbs locals in the city centre into the early morning hours. Štěpán Kuchta who lives in Dlouhá Street in Prague's Old Town blames the local authorities for failing to address the problem of constant loud noise from pubs and restaurants, stag party visitors and so called pub-crawlers who disturb the peace into the small hours. He said the noise was driving out local residents who has lived there for decades. A proposal to limit restaurant hours was discussed at length by Prague 1 councilors last week, but failed to win approval. Kuchta went on hunger strike at midnight on Sunday and says he wants to maintain the protest for 10 days.