Sunday 9 November 2008

Residents make noise over Metro fears

RESIDENTS fearful of noise pollution during the construction of Dublin's Metro North rail line have met with independent engineers in a bid to address their concerns.

The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) employed the UK-based independent GWP Consultants to set out in layman's terms exactly what residents close to the line could expect.

The talks followed the publication of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which included information on noise levels but which was set out in highly technical engineering terms.

Detailing a geographical breakdown of areas likely to be affected and to what extent, the report will be included in a submission on the transport project to be furnished to An Bord Pleanála by Fingal County Council.

Three of four meetings held two weeks ago took place in Drumcondra where there are significant concerns over noise and disruption caused by tunnel boring. The final meeting was held in Swords.

Labour TD Joe Costello said that they were a welcome development for an organisation which lacks a "culture of consultation."

"That was one of the demands that was looked for by residents that there would be a structure in place that would be independent of the RPA," he said.

According to information communicated by GWP, noise surrounding the works will reach a maximum of 75 decibels on Mondays to Fridays between 7am and 7pm.

Noise levels higher than 10 decibels are considered to have a "severe noise impact magnitude."

In areas where work continues between 7pm and 10pm, the noise levels will reach 65 decibels, work throughout the night and early morning will max at 45 decibels while work carried out on Sundays between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm will be capped at 60 decibels.

While the duration of the works varies from area to area, the major operations are expected to last for between 10 and 12 months.

Sunday Tribune

www.buckplanning.ie

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