Islington Tribune - News: Builders' noise 'drove me to screaming point'

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 2 May 2008

Worries: Diana Shelley and Paul Convery

Builders’ noise ‘drove me to screaming point’

BUILDERS’ drills and hammering are creating a “nightmare” for residents because construction sites are not being monitored properly outside normal working hours, it was claimed this week.
Residents in King’s Cross say they have been “driven to distraction” by the noise of builders working in Gifford Street over two years.
Construction workers have been accused of drilling in the early evening, on Saturday afternoons and on Bank Holidays, despite pleas for them to stop.
This week it emerged that a company building 161 flats in Gifford Street has agreed to pay £40,000 to the council for repairs to pavements and roads damaged during the development.For Diana Shelley, chairwoman of Cally Rail Action group whose home overlooks the development in Gifford Street, the noise has been unbearable at times.
She said: “They often went on into the early evening. They were meant to stop work at 1pm on Saturday but were banging away into the afternoon. They even worked on Good Friday.
“Sometimes you felt like putting your hands over your ears and screaming.”
Her house shook so badly on some occasions she had to place towels under her computer.
She claimed the road was often clouded with dust because workmen had not dampened it down.
“The council’s noise team did turn up occasionally and take photographs but by then it was often too late,” Ms Shelley added.
Labour councillor Paul Convery, who lives nearby, said builders were breaking the council’s code of conduct.
“Part of the agreement to develop in an area is to abide by a strict construction code that means no disturbance to neighbours outside normal working hours.
“That obviously wasn’t happening in Gifford Street, where residents have complained for the past 15 months.
“The council must beef up their noise and nuisance team. With all the developments going on currently in the borough I suspect Gifford Street is just the tip of the iceberg.”
An Islington Council spokesman said: “Our noise control officers are closely monitoring the situation. Building firms are allowed to carry out noisy works between 8am-6pm, Monday-Friday, and 8am-1pm on Saturdays. Noisy works are not allowed on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
“Neighbours who have a complaint should call Contact Islington on 020 7527 2000.”

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