The Out of Hours Unit is part of Land and Environmental Services and has been set up to cover Environmental Health and Trading Standards functions outwith normal office hours.
However, the main duties of the Unit relate to enforcement noise complaints, the majority of which arise during the evening and into night-time.
The Unit endeavours to respond to all noise complaints relating to:
· Anti-social Behaviour (loud music, dogs barking, DIY noise, loud TV etc)
· Public Houses / Clubs (live bands, karaoke, discos etc)
· Construction Sites
· Alarms sounding
and has enforcement powers to allow noise disturbance issues to be resolved when informal contact is not successful.
We operate 7 days a week from 5pm to 3am and can be contacted directly on 0141 287 6688.
Email: oohu@eps.glasgow.gov.uk
The Out of Hours Unit can also pre-arrange appointments with those who experience noise disturbance between 3am and 9am but do require sufficient notice to do this.
More information on all the functions of the Out of Hours Unit is given on linked web pages elsewhere on the City Council’s web-site. Please access these using the following links.
· Noise Pollution
· Food Hygiene Reports
· Trade Waste
· Anti-Social Behaviour
· Pest Control
· Construction Noise
· Noise - dogs
· Ice Cream Van Chimes
· Licensed Premises
· Noise – neighbours
· Mediation – Community Relations Unit
NB. Please note any disturbance will have to be monitored from your property
before any formal action can be taken.
Noise Pollution from Construction and Demolition Sites
Land and Environmental Services (LES) of Glasgow City Council will respond to all complaints of noise from building sites.
NOISE CONTROL
Attention is drawn to the Control of Pollution Act 1974, which allows the Council to set the times during which work may be carried out and the methods of work to be used. These requirements can extend to the following work:
a) The erection, construction, alteration, repair or maintenance of buildings, structures or roads;
b) Breaking up, opening or boring under any road or adjacent land in connection with the construction, inspection, maintenance or removal of works;
c) Demolition or dredging works;
d) Any work of engineering construction (whether or not already comprised in paragraph a, b or c above)
If justified, Land and Environmental Services will issue a notice under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and if it is breached, report the matter to the Procurator Fiscals Office.
RECOMMENDED TIMES OF WORKING
Hours of working – the recommended hours for work within a Residential Zone are:
Monday to Friday: 8am to 7pm
Saturday: 8am to 1pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: No noisy operations
In exceptional circumstances (for example in the case of traffic restrictions, in an emergency or where for technical reasons a process cannot be completed within the permitted hours) works outside these hours may be unavoidable and in such cases the person responsible should consult Land and Environmental Services as far in advance as possible. It is also recommended that local residents are notified in advance of out of hours work
Recommended times of working in other areas i.e. out with residential zones, are dependent upon the nature of the area and the proximity of noise-sensitive premises. Full consideration of the potential noise disturbance must be given prior to the planning of construction/demolition works.
METHODS OF WORK
In all cases the best practicable means of minimising noise must be used and guidance is given in British Standards BS 5228 entitled “Noise Control on Construction and Open Sites”
The following examples are applicable:
a) For any particular job the quietist plant and/or machinery should be used. Where appropriate it must be constructed to meet the requirements of EEC Directives;
b) All equipment should be maintained in good mechanical order and fitted with the appropriate silencers, mufflers or acoustic covers;
c) Stationary noise sources should be sited as far as possible from noise sensitive developments and where necessary, acoustic barriers should be used to shield them;
d) Any pilling should be carried out by the method of causing the minimum of noise and vibration, sheet steel piling whether permanent or temporary should be driven by vibratory jacking or box silenced percussion systems or a combination of these methods subject to the requirements of the Council;
e) The movement of vehicles to and from the site must be controlled and should not take place outside the permitted hours unless with prior approval, employees should be supervised to ensure compliance with the noise control measures adopted.
GENERAL
In the interests of good public relations construction companies are advised to inform and consult local residents regarding works and to give them the name of the person on site that will be able to deal with queries. If you have any queries about these matters please telephone Land and Environmental Services, Out of Hours Unit, on 0141 287 6688.
Ice Cream Van Chimes
A Code of Practice approved by the Scottish Government sets out the Do’s and Don’ts for Ice Cream Van Chimes as follows:
DON’T SOUND CHIMES:
· Before 12 Noon
· After 7pm
· For more than four seconds at a time
· More than once every three minutes
· When the vehicle is stationary
· Except on approach to a selling point
· When in sight of another van which is trading
· When within 50 metres of schools, hospitals, churches etc
· More than once every two hours in the same street
· Louder than 80 dB(A) measured at 7.5 metres from the loudspeaker
· As loudly in quiet areas or narrow streets as elsewhere
PLEASE REMEMBER:
· It is an offence to sound your chimes BEFORE 12 Noon or AFTER 7pm
· It is an offence to sound your chimes at any time in a way which gives reasonable cause for annoyance
If found guilty in the Sheriff Court, a fine not exceeding Level 5 (£5,000) may be imposed and in any case, with a further fine not exceeding £50 for each on which the offence continues after conviction.
Should you be disturbed by noise from ice cream van chimes, please call Land and Environmental Services Out of Hours Unit on 0141 287 6688.
NB. Please note any disturbance will have to be monitored from your property before any formal action can be taken.