Digging up Newington Causeway - 11:45pm

It is 11:45pm and two chaps have just coned off part of the bus lane just off the E&C roundabout on Newington Causeway and have begun to dig up the road with a pneumatic drill and other loud tools. Living in MCH and looking over the roundabout, this is keeping me awake.

I realise repairs need to be made in hours that cause least disruption to traffic, but this is fairly ridiculous.

Is there anyone I can complain to? I can't see any markings on the lorry they're using, so I'm not entirely sure who it is who is digging up the road. Is this a council issue or a TfL issue? Or is it just an issue I'm going to have to grin and bear?!

I would phone the council first of all to complain. The noise team can be reached on: 0207 525 5777

Even TFL's website suggests phoning the Council.

Sorry I can't be more help, but hopefully the Council noise team can advise

Thank you, Andy - Very much appreciated. Still going on now..! I get the feeling I may be a tad grumpy in the morning...!

Yeah it was pretty damn noisy, luckily I'm a heavy sleeper so I got to sleep ok but it was pretty unreasonable at that hour.

Did you call the Council, what did they say? I have called before for roadworks that started in the middle of the night and often they have permission but the Council staff go tell the workers we are being kept up and they generally then try to keep it down. I don't think people always realise that the noise is affecting others.

Totally agree with this, I thought it was unacceptable too. I called the council and they fobbed me off, saying it was TFL. I complained to TFL and they said it wasn't one of theirs and passed back to Southwark Council.

Southwark then called me and said it wasn't one of theirs and they had no idea who it was.

Who on earth was it?

Trip Jarvis/Zoe - That's essentially what happened to me. I was passed from pillar to post but couldn't establish who was responsible. I honestly understand that work needs to be carried out when traffic flow is quieter, but the noise/disturbance on Monday night was beyond what's acceptable by anyone's standards.

I'm still trying to find out who was responsible...

My understanding it was emergency repair work to a burst water main. It was not planned as no one know the main would burst and need repair

there's a very good website called London Works.
if there are planned works on the public highway, the contractor needs a permit, from the highway authority, either local council or TfL - and these can be denied if there are other works nearby which will affect things too much. emergencies usually get a permit straight away regardless.

That website is brilliant. Thank you. Whether it represents reality is another matter.