Locals claim £200m scheme is ‘rattling’ homes

Image source, Ben Robinson/LDRSImage caption, Matt Raven said it is "horrendous" when the house moves from the machinery vibrations

Residents living near a £200m roadworks scheme say their homes are being rattled by vibrations caused by heavy machinery, which is causing cracks in their walls.

Matt Raven, of Cantley Lane South near Norwich, Norfolk, said his house "moved" when the tremors were at their strongest and he had filmed his kitchen cupboards vibrating.

The Thickthorn scheme, approved last year, is intended to speed up journey times in the area with the creation of two new underpasses beneath the A47 and A11 – and a bridge over the A11.

A spokesman for National Highways said: "As work progresses, our contractor continues to actively monitor noise and vibrations to ensure we adhere to construction guidelines."

The problems have been reported in homes on Cantley Lane South, which runs parallel to the A11 on the southern side and is occupied by 24 properties — the closest being 10ft (3m) from the works.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said residents filmed footage inside their properties of furniture being shaken and cracks which have begun to form, and were concerned the ongoing work could cause significant damage to their homes.

The vibrations are said to have occurred during specific phases of the scheme and have been caused by machines likened to a "big vibrating drum", to pound the ground where the new road will be built.

Image source, Ben Robinson/LDRSImage caption, Residents living close to the works on Cantley Lane South told the Local Democracy Reporting Service cracks had appeared within their properties

Raven said he had reported the vibrations to construction company Skanska and was told they were within "acceptable limits".

He said: "It is horrendous. The actual moving of the house is horrendous and there is a thrum in the air.

"We accept there will be a bit of noise, but it's more than a bit," he said.

He said he had received compensation from the contractors in the form of a pair of earplugs for his wife, who works night shifts as a midwife.

A woman who lives nearby and did not want to be named described the vibrations as a "nuisance".

She said: "We have been here so long, the A11 and A47 didn't exist.

"It's change. I don't like it and I didn't want it, but what can you do?"

Another couple, who had previously tried to resist the scheme, said cracks had appeared in their home, especially in their living room.

National Highways said it had carried out pre-construction condition surveys in properties closest to the works.

Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBCImage caption, The scheme, which will see a series of underpasses beneath the A47 and A11 and a bridge over the A11, will be complete in spring 2028

East Carleton and Ketteringham Parish Council asked Ben Goldsborough, Labour MP for South Norfolk, to intervene.

Goldsborough said he was concerned at the reports and had escalated the concerns with National Highways.

Once work is completed, drivers are predicted to save up to four minutes on their journeys at peak times on the eastbound A11 to A47 and up to three minutes along the A11, according to the Department for Transport.

The scheme which is one of three major road projects in the county, is due to be finished in spring 2028.

National Highways said it would investigate any damages to properties.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "The A47 Thickthorn improvement project will improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and support growth.

"We will investigate any concerns raised about damage to properties."

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Contact formContact formFollow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.

'Trailblazing' moment as bridge takes shape

Worst of junction closures are over, says road boss

Related internet linksLocal Democracy Reporting Service