TfL apologises for late-night cuttings

1:02pm Sunday 4th May 2008

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Twilight workmen cutting grass into the night have apologised for the noise but said they could not promise it would not happen again.

Twickenham resident Sue Alderton, of Godfrey Avenue, was bedding down at 10.30pm before getting up at 4.30am for her shift at Heathrow last month when she heard a garden strimmer starting up, which went on until 11.25pm.

She complained to Richmond Council, who told her Transport for London (TfL) was responsible for maintenance work of verges along the A316.

Mrs Alderton, whose husband also works at Heathrow, said: "I pointed out that in the 20 years I have lived here I have never known them to cut the grass at night, but it looks like there is nothing we can do about it as TfL could not say it wouldn't happen again."

She continued: "I don't know what we will do if this happens again. Have another disturbed night I suppose.

"Hopefully next time we will be on late shifts."

A spokesperson for TfL apologised for the inconvenience but said: "It is sometimes necessary for this type of work to be done outside of normal hours to minimise disruption when it is done along busy, main arterial routes, such as the A316.

"During nightwork, we always aim for noise to cease as early as possible, but this can depend on the scale of the job."

Borough cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking Councillor David Trigg added: "We are pressing TfL to ensure that late-night work is kept to an absolute minimum and, where possible, avoided altogether, to avoid disturbance to residents."