RESIDENTS in East Thurrock can expect to be blighted by the noise of piling work that is taking place at DP World London Gateway for up to six hours a day, which could include working as late as 9pm in the evening.

Householders in Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope suffered the noise blitz until just before 8.30 pm yesterday (Monday, 7 February) with many taking to social media to complain about the excessively loud noise of thumping every couple of seconds.

The noise was so loud it could be heard indoors as far as a couple of miles away from the port – while those closest described the sound as 'deafening'.

Many people complained to local councillors about the high level of noise, with Homesteads councillor Gary Byrne reporting that his phone had been 'red hot'.

That was echoed by Corringham and Fobbing Cllr Deborah Arnold who said: "Residents contacted me last night with concerns.

"I live 3.8 miles away from the port and ended up turning the TV up to drown out the persistent thumping.

"I have raised this with environment and enforcement officers asking precisely what are the noise/time parameters set between DP World and Thurrock Council and what is considered a breach of that commitment and what can be done."

Cllr Arnold and residents may therefore be shocked to learn the answer is 'nothing'!

Thurrock Nub News contacted the council for a comment and asked what enforcement would be taken, only to be told yesterday's noise was within tolerance levels and the construction firm carrying out the work were not in breach of what had been agreed.

The statement says: "Works to create a fourth berth at London Gateway are being carried out in accordance with powers granted by Government under the London Gateway Port Harbour Empowerment Order 2008.

"In order to control and mitigate the impact that the work may cause, under the terms of the Order, London Gateway has obtained a Section 61 consent from Thurrock Council, which limits the airborne noise levels at the nearest noise sensitive receptors and prevents more than six hours of marine piling to take place in a day.

"This requires London Gateway to continuously monitor construction to ensure all works are within the permitted noise thresholds throughout the duration of the piling period. 

"Officers met with the contractors last week and confirmed that they are compliant with the notice conditions and are using best practical means to minimise noise.

"Officers have spoken again with the contractor today (Tuesday, 7 February) and received confirmation that works ceased at 9pm and have been provided with evidence that agreed noise levels were not exceeded.

"We have requested that London Gateway and their contractors improve their communication with local residents both sides of the river when these works take place. The piling is expected to be completed by May 2023."

The council's response appears little more than a 'cut and paste' job from DP World's own website.

A spokesperson for DP World said: "We have agreed with our contractor to do everything we possibly can to avoid late evening piling particularly when weather conditions are unfavourable. Our contractor has also modified the piling methods and is closely monitoring noise levels to minimize impacts on local residents.

"The impacts of the work and mitigation measures will remain under close review.

"It is important to note that the construction works are supporting up to 1,000 jobs and when the site is completed in five years' time the port and adjacent logistics park will be home to more than 12,000 jobs, most of which will be filled by local people. The current works are fundamental to creating these jobs in the medium-term."