Councillor 'inundated' with dust and noise complaints from South Yorkshire construction works

Coun peter Fielding claims planning conditions put in place to protect residents from dust and noise have been ignored.

Work has now begun on the controversial new Penny Pie Park gyratory, which will ease traffic flow between Junction 37 of the M1 at Pogmoor and Barnsley town centre.

The works were fiercely contested by objectors, who opposed the plans because of the loss of recreation land at Penny Pie Park.

Coun Fielding, who was involved in the campaign against the development, says Barnsley Council has failed to enforce planning conditions to limit disturbance those living near the works.

He said: “I have been inundated with complaints of both high noise levels all day and horrendous levels of dust covering houses, cars and internal surfaces.

“Detailed planning conditions and method statements designed to minimise noise and dust emissions from the construction site were imposed when planning approval for the gyratory was granted but despite these being required by Environmental Health and the Planning Department, they have not been applied by the project team and the contractor.

“The method statement should have formed part of the contract issued by Highways, but the contractor has seen nothing of it.

“Consequently, they were unaware of the permitted hours of work which have been regularly exceeded, have carried out none of the required daily noise and dust monitoring and have not used the required best practicable means to control noise, dust and vibration.

“Noise has been a problem due to the constant use of loud reversing alarms but particularly because the whole site has had to be piled.

“Contrary to the planning conditions, work has taken place on Bank Holidays and Saturdays, piling more misery on residents.

“The contractor should have been required to measure the noise daily at nearby houses, but was not informed by the projects team, so the noise monitoring did not take place.

“Dust has been a particular problem for many residents during the recent dry and windy conditions, but again the contractor was not made aware by the projects team of the need to control and measure the dust emissions, so the nuisance has been allowed to continue.

“This work has been going on now for more than four months and with the road not due to open for another year, I am insisting the remainder of the work is carried out in line with legal requirements, the planning conditions and with the utmost consideration for local residents.

“I am seeking assurances from the council that all other planning conditions are being complied with and all the potential problems identified before planning permission was granted and that required ongoing liaison with other regulatory bodies are being dealt with.”

Coun Chris Lamb, cabinet spokesman for environment and transportation, said the contractor did carry out works on Good Friday in error, and complaints from members of the public were currently being investigated.

He said: “GDC Ltd started on site in March to carry out ground preparation works, so it will be strong enough to hold the road and traffic.

“The permitted working hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Weekend working is only permitted by prior arrangement - to date no weekend working has been undertaken.

“In error, the contractor did carry out works on Friday, April 10, as the company’s Easter Holiday Break was Monday and Tuesday, April 13-14. No further issues have occurred with Bank Holiday working.

“Over the past week, a number of complaints have been received by members of the public and these are currently being investigated.

“The works are currently being delivered in line with the approved planning permission.

“Noise and vibration monitors are on site, recording levels within the site and at a number of surrounding residential locations. The levels currently recorded are in line with the planning conditions.

“In addition, the contractor has also been requested to implement an additional acoustic barrier within the site to reduce noise levels further during the construction phase works.

“Dust mitigation measures on site include the dampening down of the site and a reduction of vehicle speed limits.

“With regards to the noise insulation regulations, a scheme taking this into account is currently being designed and all affected residents will be notified once all the details have been approved.

“These regulations are relevant to the operational phase of the new highway and not to the construction phase, which is covered by separate legislation and guidance.

“Consultation with Yorkshire Water, Regulatory Services, SYMAS, and the Coal Authority has been undertaken throughout the scheme design and planning application process.

“Any contaminated material not previously identified during previous investigations arising from the site during construction will be dealt with appropriately. To date, this has not been an issue.

“Enquiries about this scheme are always welcome and I encourage any ward councillor to contact either myself, as cabinet spokesman for this area, or the appropriate council officers working on the project, directly, with any issues.

“We will continue to work with local residents and groups while we deliver this scheme, which will deliver a long-term solution that will provide enough capacity for the current volume of traffic as well as accommodating the future business and housing growth aspirations of Barnsley.”

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