Road resurfacing company fined for breaching noise abatement notices

Wiltshire Council's Environmental Control and Protection Team have successfully prosecuted a road resurfacing company for breaching a noise abatement notice.

At a hearing held at Salisbury Magistrates Court on 28 September, Thornbury Surfacing (Chippenham) Ltd, pleaded guilty to two charges. The charges related to failure to erect an acoustic barrier and failure to upgrade all of their vehicles with 'white noise' reversing alarms in May 2022.

The company was fined £5000, plus costs of £9530.62 and a surcharge of £190.

Officers had previously served Thornbury Surfacing Ltd with Noise Abatement Notices after neighbours in the residential area had complained about intrusive noise from company vehicles for prolonged periods of time.

Councils must investigate complaints about issues that could be 'statutory nuisance' under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (opens new window). Notices require those responsible to either stop an activity or take actions to reduce the problem.

Before issuing the notices, officers had attempted to work with the business to achieve compliance, including carrying out visits to the Thornbury Surfacing premises to speak with the owners and give informal advice, however after the company failed to make the required changes to their vehicles or erect an acoustic barrier formal court action was deemed necessary.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: Safeguarding our residents from harm is one of our most important responsibilities, and people should be able to live without being severely impacted by an ongoing noise nuisance.

Prosecution is always a last resort but it was deemed necessary in this case. Hopefully, this successful prosecution serves as a reminder of the need to show consideration to neighbours and that we will not hesitate to take action against those who negatively impact the lives of others.

Further information on Statutory Noise Nuisance and how to report a complaint can be found: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1830/Noise-nuisance.