 Local councillors and Anne Milton MP are keeping up the pressure on the continuing problem of noise and disruption from Countryliner buses at Merrow Depot, off Merrow Lane. On 8 April, local councillor, Sheridan Westlake, raised the issue again at the Full Council meeting of Guildford Borough Council.
He asked the the Chairman of the Planning Committee
"(a) If he will provide an update on the enforcement action being taken against Countryliner at Merrow Depot, further to the recent meeting with Guildford Borough Council, County Councillor Graham Ellwood, Anne Milton MP and local residents.
(b) If the Council will make a representation to the Traffic Commissioners calling for a review of Countryliner's operating licence under Section 30 of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995."
The Chairman, Councillor Keith Taylor, responded:
“Can I thank Councillor Westlake for again giving me notice of this question. I am conscious of the continuing frustration of the local residents and of the strenuous efforts that he and his Merrow ward colleagues, County Councillor Graham Ellwood and Anne Milton MP are all making to resolve this matter.
While I am assured that this is still receiving attention at the highest level, I regret to report that the County Council have not yet been able to resolve the legal complications delaying their court action against Countryliner. It is still hoped that formal Enforcement Action may not be necessary. However, the Borough Planning and Legal Departments are actively reviewing all options for such action, including the possible use of injunctive powers.
In the mean time, an Environmental Health Officer has met the operator, Mr Belcher. He has given an assurance that he does not normally operate buses from the site late at night. Noise monitoring has not at this time indicated any problem with noise at night. However bus noise during the day is, from time to time, disturbing to local residents. That point has been very firmly communicated to Mr Belcher who has instructed his staff to switch engines off when not required and to avoid activities that might cause disturbance. This includes action such as parking buses away from the houses, switching off reversing horns, the re-location of a fuel pump away from houses, re-arranging access for buses and where mechanical washing is carried out, reducing the site speed limit and arranging extra supervision on site.
The Environmental Health Officer has advised that the noise he measured is not so severe as to amount to an actionable statutory nuisance at this time, but ongoing checks will be made. He concluded this problem can only be satisfactorily tackled by terminating the operation of buses at that site.
With regard to the Vehicle Operating Licence, I understand that the stringent regime applied by the Traffic Commissioners in relation to goods vehicles does not apply to passenger vehicles such as buses. However the officers are making contact with the government agencies to ask whether any further control is possible.”
10th April 2010 Tags: Traffic / parking / speeding |
