Firm building royston rail underpass threatened with prosecution
THE firm building the �3.8m Royston rail underpass has been threatened with legal action if it does not reduce site sound levels.
North Herts District Council issued a noise abatement notice on Birse Rail after residents complained about a generator left running overnight.
If the firm does not deal with the problem, it faces prosecution.
Cllr Bernard Lovewell, NHDC’s portfolio holder for housing and environmental health, said: “Following ongoing complaints from residents, we have now served a noise abatement notice on Birse Rail.
“This requires it to stop or reduce the noise coming from the generator within 14 days. If it fails to comply, we have the option of prosecuting for breach of the notice.”
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Among the residents affected is police officer David Miller of Heron Way.
He works night shifts and his wife Sonia is due to give birth at the end of the month.
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Mr Miller says he has been told by workmen the generator, which is used to power the site office, has been left on to dry workmen’s clothes and prevent printer ink freezing.
The 33-year-old told The Crow: “My wife does not need extra stress at the moment.
“The generator can be fine for three nights a week, and then be on for four nights. The problem is you don’t know what’s happening.
“It takes time to go to sleep, and if you wake up you can’t get back to sleep. I’m on three late shifts and get home at three in the morning. When you have to concentrate on work it’s exhausting.
“My wife needs to have as much rest as possible.”
Major work was carried out on the underpass over Christmas attracting criticism from residents.
No one from Birse Rail, which is working in conjunction with Hertfordshire County Council, was available for comment at the time of going to press.
