I have heard reports that the Southern Cement landing crew is ready to start up again.

If you are disturbed by an incessant high pitched noise then please make sure you ring the environmental health department on 01473 433115 or email environmentalprotection@ipswich.gov.uk as soon as you are disturbed.  This is especially the case at night as it is necessary to give a case that this is producing a statutory nuisance.

It would be helpful if you could additionally email me on james@bridgeward.org.uk if you are having any problems.

“Nice idea, not enough pictures” has been a comment I’ve heard about Bridge Ward News.  Fair comment.  Until I get my digital camera working with this computer I’m going to have to show a few stock photos from around the area.

I quite like this one, which is the Three Angels, a sculpture which is on the Wherstead Road river bank.  I’m usually a fan of art produced before my Dad was born, but this fits in well with the docks.

(If you have any photos of the area that you would like to share please email them to james@bridgeward.org.uk

The evening star forums have a set of posts about what I think could be the noise from Southern Cement.  How many more people are suffering and thinking it’s just them?

If you are suffering then please contact me on james@bridgeward.org.uk and I will put you in touch with campaigners who need to find out just what the extent of this problem is.

If you live near Wherstead Road, or even further away, then you will be aware that Ipswich docks have become noisier recently.  Some people have compared it to living next to a nightclub while others have said it’s like having the washing machine on, all night.

The culprit is a cement ship used by Southern Cement, and this noise, which people have likened to a continuous howl, has been going on continuously.

This is pollution, as certainly as if cement dust was blown over Stoke Park.  While no-one denies that Ipswich needs a thriving port, we need to ask a few questions:

1)  Why does this work need to be carried on at night? 

2)  Why aren’t sufficient measures being taken to lower the noise?

3)  Why is the noise reaching people in places like the Hayes and even Pinewood?

If you have had any issues with this then you are not alone.  A noise abatement group has been set up to deal with this issue.  They need reports from people who have suffered and they will also need help with leafletting and other elements of the campaign to bring this noise down to a tolerable level.

If you have had problems with night time noise that you think may be from the port then please email me on james@bridgeward.org.uk and I will pass on any emails I get to the organisers of the noise abatement group.