Residents force operator to address noise concerns

A Peterborough operator has agreed to a series of conditions and undertakings at one of its operating centres after local residents complained about the noise and vibrations from its HGVs.

Freemans Transport had initially been unwilling to accept any conditions beyond a limit on operating hours to between 7am and 11pm every day, which had already been imposed by the local authority.

However, following a Cambridge public inquiry (PI), it has now agreed to a raft of new conditions.

The haulier operates 40 lorries and 50 trailers at three operating centres, with 10 vehicles and 15 trailers authorised at its Stibbington base.

But residents contacted the TC to complain about noise, visual intrusion and road safety concerns from its fleet of trucks and so the DVSA and then TC Nick Denton made a site visit to decide what to do about the claimed problems.

In his written decision, the TC said: “I have borne in mind that this is traditionally an industrial premises and some degree of noise, activity and visual intrusion is to be expected. I have also considered whether such intrusion is interfering with the reasonable enjoyment of the residents’ property.”

As a result Denton said the operating centre could continue to be used, but Freemans Transport must erect an acoustic fence, reposition its floodlights, vehicle engines will not run after 11.10pm, and all vehicles must leave the yard in forward gear. The operator told the TC it accepted the conditions.