Chester Road: ‘Obstructed C11 buses, along with the irate honking from the traffic held hostage behind them’

• AIR pollution has rightfully taken the spotlight in discussions around Camden, but let’s not forget another menace that plagues our community: noise pollution.

The cacophony emanating from the colossal new developments undertaken by Camden Council demands immediate attention.

A prime example is the ongoing construction of new residences in lower Highgate, situated on the former site of the Highgate Newtown Community Centre in Bertram Street.

As a concerned resident of Chester Road, my neighbours and I have been enduring the trials of this construction for the past three arduous years, with no end in sight.

Our parking spots have vanished, the pavement outside my home on Chester Road has been encroached upon and, worst of all, we find ourselves immersed in an unending symphony of noise from dawn till dusk, Monday through Saturday.

The ceaseless parade of trucks, lorries, flatbeds, and smaller transporters traversing Chester Road has turned our once peaceful neighbourhood into a roaring thoroughfare, starting as early as 8am.

The introduction of road sweeper trucks to clean up the debris is a welcome initiative, but the resulting auditory assault is akin to an avalanche, relentless in its persistence.

The incessant beeping of reversing vehicles and the blaring horns of the obstructed C11 buses, along with the irate honking from the traffic held hostage behind them, have transformed my home office into an ineffective sanctuary.

While I understand and deeply approve of the need to provide refuge for Afghan families who bore the brunt of the ill-conceived British / American campaign against the Taliban, the transformation of these flats should not come at the expense of our wellbeing.

Our loyalty as Camden Council taxpayers and residents should not entail enduring limitless disruptions.

The alteration in the flats’ purpose mandates the completion of the original fittings, followed by extensive modifications to accommodate larger families. The implication is clear. This ordeal is destined to persist for an even more prolonged period.

To address this urgent matter a comprehensive approach is required. Thoughtful urban planning, mindful construction practices, and strict regulations governing the movement of trucks and transporters must be adopted.

Camden’s vibrancy should not come at the cost of the residents’ quality of life. A peaceful environment conducive to work is the least we deserve.

While I applaud the altruistic decision to house Afghan families in these new flats, it’s imperative that the council acknowledges the boundaries of our patience and endurance.

The clamour generated by the construction juggernaut is far from sustainable and is leaving an indelible mark on our physical and mental health.

It is my sincere hope that Camden Council heeds this call for change. Let’s transform lower Highgate into a symbol of responsible development that takes into account the physical and mental health of its inhabitants.

RAMSAY SHORT, N19