Late night construction noise disturbs The Greens residents

By Amira Agarib, Zoe Sinclair & Joy Sengupta (Our staff reporters)

27 May 2008

DUBAI — More than 20 families at The Greens recently blocked the path of a convoy of concrete trucks with residents claiming construction noise is continuing past midnight.

Residents of The Greens on Street One say their apartments back onto the development of the project and complain vibrations from piling work have also led to superficial cracks in the walls.

However, both claims have been denied by project management and developers behind construction and The Greens.

A British woman, who would not be named, said the construction proceeded past 8pm on Tuesday and Wednesday last week with the noise and pounding vibrations from piling work causing the most disturbance.

The apartments are shaking and there are superficial cracks appearing, she said.

It continued until past 10.30pm on Tuesday and 3am on Wednesday.

Anouchka Solomon, mother of two young children, agreed the noise had continued past 8pm on at least three occasions.

It is a bit scary, she said.

All of the street is affected. I havent noticed any damage but the vibrations are bad enough.

Another resident added her voice, complaining the noise was disrupting sleep.

Its to the point that you cant leave the window open, she said.

Despite approaching workers on Wednesday evening, construction continued past 8pm on Thursday and about 15 concrete trucks lined the street.

Residents resented the presence of the concrete trucks.

A Jebel Ali police station official confirmed officers were called to The Greens as a result of the resentment.

The official said the standoff was resolved with both parties being told to consult the appropriate authorities and abide by the law.

The development is within Emaar Business Park on Shaikh Zayed Road next to The Greens, a residential development by Emaar.

An official of Masharea Project Management, which manages the development, said they were aware of complaints. However, he said the development had permission to operate 24 hours, a necessity for pouring the extensive concrete foundations.

As per Dubai Municipality declaration, the project was given permission to operate 24 hours, the official said.

Whatever construction happens after 8pm and before 6am — these eight hours we make sure the construction doesnt make noise.

There was one day when work was to continue for 24 hours but it was stopped because of the resentment. The remaining days work continued until 8pm.

He said the construction was within regulations and therefore would not cause damage to the buildings.

An Emaar spokesperson said the company had received a few complaints about the noise but not of damage.

However he said an investigation for cracks in the properties had been conducted but no damage was noted.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Fouzi Mohammed Al Shuhhi, Head of the Building Control Section at the Dubai Municipality said that they would make immediate checks with regard to the problem.

There are certain regulations and guidelines with regard to the construction timings as well as noise levels. During the evening time, any construction work cannot go on after 8 pm unless the contractor has got special permission from the civic body.

The sound level should not exceed 55 decibels during the day time and 45 decibels during the evenings. Any locality facing a problem with too much noise due to a construction site can call up the DM hotline number (700014000) and file a complaint. Our inspectors, who are on an on call service, will visit the spot and check the sound levels and for permissions. If no permission has been issued, the particular contractor would be issued a warning. Repeated offences will result in halting of the construction work, cancellation of licenses etc, the official added.

He added that the DM granted special permission under certain circumstances. It could be that the trucks are not allowed to move on that area during the day time. Then some construction work needs to go on for several hours in one stretch, he added.