WATER FIRM UNDER FIRE
Building work noise complaints
The constant noise of construction work in Blackford is driving residents to distraction, it has been claimed.
Work on the new rail yard adjacent to the Highland Spring plant resumed on Monday and the persistent pounding of piledrivers – which is permitted to be carried out from 7am until 7pm during the week and from 8am until 1pm on Saturday – is beginning to grate.
The noise can be heard throughout the village but is worse for those living nearby as they also experience the vibrations, with some even reporting the coffee in their mugs rippling.
Blackford resident Cath Rollo told the Herald: “It is quite extreme. It does go off from time to time but not for long and they say it will go on for another month.”
The project, being carried out by Luddon Construction Ltd, initially started in March and ran until 7pm on weekdays prior to being put on hold as a result of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
But a two-hour extension for work not involving piledrivers has been granted until the Scottish Government removes physical distancing requirements.
Luddon apologised for any inconvenience the additional time would cause in a letter, seen by the Herald, sent out to villagers on Wednesday this week.
Cath continued: “Many people in the village are still working from home and many people are still isolating, and you cannot get away from the noise.”
Cath expressed concerns about the impact the work was having on residents’ wellbeing prior to the Covid-19 outbreak and has written to Perth and Kinross Council, as well as local politicians Roseanna Cunningham MSP and John Nicolson MP.
She asked Mr Nicolson and Ms
Cunningham if they could liaise with Highland Spring, Network Rail and the contractors to see if other less noisy elements of the construction could be undertaken meantime.
A spokesperson for Blackford Community Council said that in the last 35 years the Highland Spring factory had expanded beyond anything those living in the village could have expected when it was first built.
They said: “Over the years the community council has asked repeatedly for the factory to have another access for lorries but this has never been approved by Transport Scotland.
“As Moray Street is almost exclusively residential the additional volume of traffic going to the factory was no longer felt to be appropriate for the village.”
They went on to explain: “This development will remove over 70 per cent of the Highland Spring lorries from the main road.
“Freight trains will carry 44 wagons of water south per day in the initial stages, for the exclusive use of Highland Spring.
“The construction was programmed to be completed by April 21.
“Unfortunately the cessation of construction work throughout Scotland put the work on hold.
“Construction companies throughout Scotland are now fighting to get back on track and this entails working outwith normal working hours.
“The extended working hours, while they may cause disturbance to neighbours, are necessary in order to complete the project as quickly as possible and have been approved in accordance with the government’s guidelines for construction during the pandemic.
“Community consultation is not required but Highland Spring has endeavoured to keep the community informed throughout.”
The piling work is due to be completed by July 17.
The community council spokesperson added: “However construction works will continue until the completion of the contract, resulting in reduced noise and pollution in the village and a significant reduction in the emission of CO2 nationally.
“Blackford Community Council will continue to listen to all the community’s concerns about the building work schedule and lorry traffic, and ensure Highland Spring is made aware of everything being raised.”
Highland Spring has apologised for the disturbance.
A spokesperson said: “Highland Spring Group is committed to being a good neighbour.
“The contractors have re-commenced work on the rail freight facility in line with the latest guidance for the construction industry from the Scottish Government.
“The hours within which the piling works will be carried out mirror the hours before work stopped in March.
“Noise and vibration levels are monitored throughout, and the contractors have adopted best practicable means to minimise the noise and vibration impact.
“We undertook a neighbour notification about the piling works to the whole village approximately 72 hours in advance of works commencing and are doing everything we can to ensure the works are undertaken as quickly as possible to minimise any disruption.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience the works may cause to Blackford residents.”
They added: “We will continue to keep the local community updated on the works through dedicated updates and liaison with Blackford Community Council.”