‘Walking through the park one day, you could feel the vibrations from the machines just battering you‘
RESIDENTS of Llandaff North have complained about “consistent banging”, health and safety issues and even feeling sick since work began on Welsh Water’s new sewage pump station last September.
Welsh Water began work on their new sewage pump station last September after the Friends of Hailey Park group had fought for some 18 months against it.
Since then, residents in Llandaff North have had to contend with disruption to their everyday lives as a product of the construction of the station, which is due for completion in 2025.
The building is taking place virtually on the doorstep of houses on Ty-Mawr Road and Pomergelli Road, whose residents have experienced significant levels of noise in the six months since work began.
The work, however, is even affecting those who live across the River Taff, in Danescourt. Alyson Burnell, a 62-year-old woman living in Danescourt, says between 9am and 5pm all she can hear is “constant banging and noise”.
“I work from home and with all the work going on, it’s making it really difficult,” said Alyson.
“It’s just constant noise and banging. I can be in a video call for work and hardly hear what people are saying.
“When it’s the summer and I want to be in the garden, it’s going to be a real nuisance. They should’ve thought about these issues before they decided to build all those houses.”
For some residents, construction in Hailey Park has actually caused them physical illness. Penny Bowers, a member of the Friends of Hailey Park group who have opposed the building of the sewage pump since it was announced, recalls feeling “sea-sick” on certain days walking through the park and even in her house on West Road.
“The building has had such an affect on all of us,” she said.
“Before Christmas, quite a lot of us were suffering from sea-sick type symptoms caused by the vibrations from the various machines they were using.
“I remember walking through the park one day and you could feel the vibrations from the machines just battering you. It made me really quite ill for a number of days, I had to take time off work which meant that I couldn’t earn any money.”
Those who live in Llandaff North have struggled to see how the sewage pump station is beneficial for them as it’s to service an estate in Danescourt.
As well as the disruption which has been caused since the building started, frequent visitors to Hailey Park have been frustrated that what was once a scenic park is now home to a large construction site.
“A lot of people use the park for their mental health and well-being. Since the pandemic, I think people have really noticed what getting out and going for a walk can do for them,” said Penny.
“I know my mental health has got worse because of the building in the park. At the end of a long day, I want to go and de-stress on a walk with my dog in the park and you just can’t get any peace.
“You just feel as though Welsh Water and Cardiff Council haven’t thought through the effects the construction is having on people.”
Since work began, the Save Hailey Park Campaign, run by the Friends of Hailey Park group, have been holding weekly meetings with Welsh Water to log concerns about the work being done to the park. Welsh Water are working with residents to keep them updated.
“We are working closely with local resident groups and stakeholders at Hailey Park to address any concerns residents may have,” said Welsh Water in a statement.
“We also send regular updates via newsletters and on our website on the progress of the project. This ongoing communication allows us the opportunity to provide further notice to local residents ahead of any work that may be considered disruptive.”
Work on the sewage pump station is due to be complete by March 2025. Welsh Water have assured residents that they will reinstate both the rugby pitches and planting which been removed while construction takes place.
Once finished, the station will occupy 0.14 acres of the 60-acre Hailey Park.
