COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 10, 2007

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Manager (as a follow up to my questions of April and June re noise pollution along M50 Upgrade) for a report on any complaints received from residents in relation to noise levels, dust levels and working during prohibited hours and to include in his answer what action was taken and the outcome of court proceedings in relation to any isolated breaches?

REPLY:

As part of the M50 Upgrade works it is necessary for some safety related works to be carried out during night-time hours and the undertaking of such safety works is permitted under the Contract as it would for similar works on any public road.  These works such as positioning of traffic management barriers, placing of bridge beams, placing of parapet railings, installation of sign gantries, placement of lighting columns, etc. are carried out at times when traffic is lightest in order to reduce risk and protect the safety of both motorists and construction personnel alike.

Complaints about noise have been received from some residents regarding works being carried out at night and these complaints have been passed by the Project Resident Engineer to the Contractor along with the instruction to ensure advance warning to nearby residents and also to take appropriate action to mitigate any noise impact in accordance with the Contract.

As previously advised with regard to dust a situation arose towards the end of last year in which there was a failure of the dust control mechanism on the Contractor's Piling Machinery and a number of properties adjacent to the Palmerstown Interchange were affected with depositions of dust.  These cases are the subject of legal proceedings between the affected residents and the Contractor and his Insurance Company and these proceedings are ongoing following written acknowledgement of the incident by the Contractor.