I'm regularly being woken up by loud hammering in the Taymount Rise area most mornings. Does anyone know what the council regulations say about what time work can legally start in the morning?
I'm fairly sure it began before 7am today, but I could be wrong as I was half asleep. Most days it starts around 7am. I know I'm lucky that I don't have to get up as early as some, but it is annoying being woken up earlier than necessary - especially when I have to work late. :-( Earplugs make no difference either.
Has anyone else heard the racket? It sounds very close to my home, but I looked out and couldn't see any signs of building work nearby. It has been going on for quite a few weeks now.
The Control Of Pollution Act 1974
gives the Council powers to control working hours. There is probably something on the Lewisham Councils website.
Extract
The Control of Pollution Act, 1974 gives the Council's environmental health department special powers to control noise on construction and demolition sites. Working hours can be restricted and conditions enforced on the machinery being used.
Legal responsibilities
Professional building firms must comply with the relevant codes of practice.
Restricted hours
General construction work should be restricted to the following hours:
Monday to Friday – 8am to 6pm
Saturdays – 8am to 1pm
Noisy work prohibited on Sundays/Bank Holidays
Noisy activities include:
• using hand tools - hammers and saws
• using power tools - hand-held tools including drills, saws and sanders
• using plant equipment - such as Kango hammers, pneumatic hammers, cement mixers, large power saws, planers, compressors and generators
• piledriving
• erecting and dismantling of scaffolding
• partition walls - can produce high levels of noise for neighbours.
Avoiding problems caused by building work
Ensure neighbours are given advance warning of any work due to be carried out and let them know how long it will last.
I know of one building project going on in a private home in that area which would have begun on Easter Monday but work starts there at 0830 each day. Beyond that, the company that manages most of the local leasehold properties and blocks on and around Taymount Rise have been removing and replacing fences for a good few weeks now. I've seen them at work at about 0700 when I head off on my bike.
Interesting that you aren't allowed to use a saw, drill or hammer on a sunday or bank holiday...can someone tell my wife.
Thanks Bt and IWere - useful info.
Fortunately the noise started later today - maybe they read Se23.com...
Interesting that you aren't allowed to use a saw, drill or hammer on a sunday or bank holiday...can someone tell my wife.
Unfortunately I think it only applies to commercial builders 
I'm close to the London Road end of the Rise, can't say I've heard any early morning racket...
I know they're refurbishing some of the flats in our block too, but (on the days where I've worked from home), I can say that no-one's arrived on site until about 10. It may be some of the other managed properties...
Hello, It's possible that the current work (by the Apollo Group) on Shackleton Close estate is where you are hearing the noise from, although they do not usually start before 8am or so.
We are not right by the London Road side but very close; just over the fence from you.
I live on the estate and we have had scaffolding up and work going on since (approx) February; mostly all scaffolding down now but still some work is being done.
Regards
Sue
Thanks for the reply Sue.
the work has been starting later but for a few weeks it was regularly beginning at 7am, so we might not be talking about the same building.