9:50am Saturday 13th March 2010
By Jeremy Grimaldi
SLEEP deprived residents have set up a campaigning website to stop ‘noise, light and air pollution’ from a neighbourhood bus depot.
Last night www.busdepot hell.com went live after at least 25 neighbours got together to discuss the problem of ongoing disruption along with politicians.
During the heated meeting, residents, who have now also organised the Bus Depot Action Group (BDAG), also shared their experiences about the depot, which regularly wakes residents up at 5am.
The group will also fight Stagecoach’s new planning proposal to extend the ‘bus-wash’ hours from 8am to 10pm to 7am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday.
Stuart Hibbert, who has lived in South Street for five years, said the depot is also currently in breach of a number of regulations including revving engines above 60 decibels while his windows are closed.
He added that lights and idling engines were also in breach of council regulations.
The 41-year-old said: “The World Health Organisation (WHO) says noise should not exceed 40 decibels, and also suggests over 55 decibels is often associated with high blood pressure and heart attacks.
“I know how loud it is because I have measured it, but that doesn’t stop the council from ignoring my complaints. Neighbours say they cannot open their windows because the their houses will be filled up with fumes from idling Buses.
“Just this week I was awoken at 5am twice and at 7am twice, it is affecting my work.
“I knew it was here when I moved in but I must say things are deteriorating – it is a crazy situation and stressful situation.
“Buses start revving within an inch of their lives up at 4.30am; the last bus arrives back to the depot gone 1am.
“Employees are often using a pressure washer as well, meaning residents get about three-and-a-half hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.
South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove said: “I am very concerned about the noise levels and other disturbances in the night which are making it difficult for local people to sleep.
“As a matter of urgency I will be taking this up with Stagecoach to find a solution as quickly as possible.”
Anyone wanting more information about the consultation process is asked to visit www.swindon.gov.uk/environment/planning/environment-planning-applications.htm
A spokeswoman for Stagecoach said: “There has been a bus operation out of these premises for well over 50 years.
“We are a professional bus operator and have a good track record of being a good community neighbour.
“We ensure that we fulfil all regulatory requirements and work hard to balance the need to provide important transport services at times that benefit our customers while minimising any impact on people in the surrounding area.
“We have also invested in improvements at the facility to help minimise any potential disruption to neighbours.
“We have responded to any concerns and feedback we have received on this matter and will continue to attempt to put in place any further measures where practical.”
A Swindon Council spokeswoman said: “We’re aware of one complaint relating to noise which was lodged with us in December.
“Officers visited the site immediately after receiving the complaint and carried out an investigation which resulted in the conclusion that there was no statutory nuisance.
“It did come to their attention that there was a breach of planning conditions relating to bus cleaning activity outside permitted hours, and this is being addressed.
“Stagecoach has submitted three planning applications requesting a change to the hours, and members of the public are entitled to submit their comments on these to our planning department as part of the decision making process.”
Stagecoach told the Adver it was never invited to a meeting.
A spokeswoman for the company also said the depot was never open from 9 to 5pm. The company also said it was happy to meet the South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove in the future.
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