NOISY machinery running through the night at a retail park has led to calls for an urgent investigation and fines after official warnings were 'ignored' by contractors.

Residents in Blackpole complained of five consecutive nights of noise during resurfacing work at Elgar Retail Park  in Worcester, owned by Legal and General.

Now they fear similar disturbances will occur in future as they believe site managers behave 'as if residents don't exist'. 

We have previously reported how residents lost sleep because of the heavy machinery including jackhammers, rollers and bulldozers, working all evening and into the early hours of the morning.

Now Jill Desayrah, who represents residents as the city councillor for the area, is calling for an investigation into after the work continued between 8pm and 4am on five consecutive nights, starting last Monday (January 29).

The Labour councillor hand-delivered letters to residents in Masons Drive, Salters Close, Drapers Close and Barbers Close on Monday in which she brands the actions of the site's owners as 'unacceptable' and 'outrageous'.

Cllr Desayrah wrote: "I have spoken with several families who told me about the deafening noise and intrusive lights which severely disrupted their sleep.

"After the work started notices were issued by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) telling the site manager to stop working beyond a reasonable hour.

"This was ignored and the work carried on for several further nights.

"This is unacceptable, outrageous behaviour on the part of the contractors and on behalf of residents I will be pursuing the matter further."

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Cllr Desayrah said: "No-one is expecting these sorts of road works are carried out in normal hours. But this behaviour was ridiculous, a flagrant disregard for the law and the rights of residents."

Matt Brown, 61 of Salters Close said, over the years, residents who live opposite the retail park have faced 'a catalogue of disturbances' ranging from work on cladding to diesel-operated pressure washers running all night.

He said: "The retail park was built after the estate. It's as if we don't exist. We are just collateral damage. It's total arrogance and they need to be fined to stop them. After so many indiscretions, it's time the council made them toe the line."

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “Last week, following a complaint, Worcestershire Regulatory Services contacted the company to seek an informal resolution to the alleged noise problem caused by the repair work.  Assurances were given that the only work remaining was line painting to be carried out on the night of February 2.

“As we were informed that there would be no further disturbance to residents, an abatement notice was not served. This remains an option should there be any further nuisance, however we have today received confirmation that the resurfacing works are now completed.”