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Newcastle overnight Metro work compensation fight Newcastle overnight Metro work compensation fight
(about 3 hours later)
Four months of overnight noise described as "like 20 pneumatic drills" has left sleepless residents demanding compensation.Four months of overnight noise described as "like 20 pneumatic drills" has left sleepless residents demanding compensation.
People living on Ilford Road in Newcastle said the noise of work on the Metro rail line made sleep impossible.People living on Ilford Road in Newcastle said the noise of work on the Metro rail line made sleep impossible.
It took place from 01:30 to 04:30 BST, seven days a week from April to July.It took place from 01:30 to 04:30 BST, seven days a week from April to July.
Metro operator Nexus said it did everything it could to "reduce the impact and address concerns as soon as they were raised".Metro operator Nexus said it did everything it could to "reduce the impact and address concerns as soon as they were raised".
But resident Carole Howlett said there were "men shouting, floodlights and these great big huge piling machines called augers, piling 15ft into the ground".But resident Carole Howlett said there were "men shouting, floodlights and these great big huge piling machines called augers, piling 15ft into the ground".
"The whole house was shaking," she said."The whole house was shaking," she said.
"All the neighbours complained, bitterly, and they just kept fobbing us off.""All the neighbours complained, bitterly, and they just kept fobbing us off."
Nexus corporate manager for communications Huw Lewis said the "vital" work could only be done at night to avoid disrupting the 40,000 passengers who use the line each day.Nexus corporate manager for communications Huw Lewis said the "vital" work could only be done at night to avoid disrupting the 40,000 passengers who use the line each day.
Weekend working would have cost "substantially" more and required continual day and night working during each line closure, he said.Weekend working would have cost "substantially" more and required continual day and night working during each line closure, he said.
"We appreciate that the work did cause disturbance and inconvenience to residents," he accepted."We appreciate that the work did cause disturbance and inconvenience to residents," he accepted.
Acoustic screening boards were installed but residents said they had little effect.Acoustic screening boards were installed but residents said they had little effect.
Nexus said there was no work overnight on a Friday but householders insisted it took place seven days a week apart from the "odd night".
Newcastle City Council said Nexus was legally exempt from normal noise controls, provided they behaved reasonably and noise nuisance was minimised by the "best practicable means".Newcastle City Council said Nexus was legally exempt from normal noise controls, provided they behaved reasonably and noise nuisance was minimised by the "best practicable means".
Since the work finished residents have reported "tremendous" vibration in their homes.Since the work finished residents have reported "tremendous" vibration in their homes.
"It vibrates right through to the back of the house," Mrs Howlett said."It vibrates right through to the back of the house," Mrs Howlett said.
"The radiators vibrate, the windows vibrate."The radiators vibrate, the windows vibrate.
"We're very concerned that this is going to damage our properties.""We're very concerned that this is going to damage our properties."
Nexus said it had been unable to indentify anything which would cause "undue noise or vibration."Nexus said it had been unable to indentify anything which would cause "undue noise or vibration."
As a public body funded by the taxpayer it could only consider compensation where there was a legal requirement to do so, it said.As a public body funded by the taxpayer it could only consider compensation where there was a legal requirement to do so, it said.
Nexus has sent emails apologising but "nothing" had been done about their complaints, Mrs Howlett said.Nexus has sent emails apologising but "nothing" had been done about their complaints, Mrs Howlett said.
"It's driven me absolutely crazy," she said."It's driven me absolutely crazy," she said.