With regard to the ongoing works in St Albans Road where the pavements are being replaced, I am concerned about the noise and pollution caused.

The works have been going on since early June. I live in Bruce Grove and they are using the cul-de-sac end of the road as a base for storing materials and equipment and for cutting the paving stones prior to laying them.

There only seem to be about six workers on the job, which presumably is why it is taking so long. Loud noise caused by deliveries of materials and by the constant cutting of the paving stones starts at 8am (sometimes earlier) and continues all day.

This is intolerable, especially with more residents spending time at home now because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

I contacted the contractors Murrells voicing my concerns but the buck was passed and I received a reply from the council worker in charge of the project. He stated that once the work along Bruce Grove was completed that works base would move to a different location, but that proved to be incorrect.

It seems that the contractors are not going to move but are continuing to carry out all the cutting of the stones in Bruce Grove. I have been told that this will carry on until the end of November. That is if the job is completed by then, of course.

If it is anything like the paving in High Street it could go on for another three months or more.

Watford Borough Council seem to be very happy to let this type of thing happen with zero concern about how it is affecting the lives of residents. (NB: There was nothing wrong with the old paving in St Albans Road, it just needed cleaning and a few minor repairs. This is another waste of money that is causing misery for local residents).

Added to the noise problem is another more serious matter.

I thought the staining of the road and pavement at the end of Bruce Grove was possibly cement dust or paint but I realise that it is actually dust created when the hundreds of stones are being cut day in, day out.

This dust that is made is not cleaned up but left to pollute the environment. It is a potential danger and could cause respiratory problems or other health issues if not cleaned up.

Residents and shop workers in the area should not have to put up with this noise and pollution threat six days a week for months on end. Something should be done about it now.

The contractors should be forced to carry out the cutting of the stones in a different location, not just moved to a different street, but ideally in an isolated spot where the noise and dust created will not be a nuisance or a health problem.

David Noades

by email