Noisy manhole cover on A38 keeps villagers awake

A noisy manhole cover is causing sleepless nights for residents of a Worcestershire village.

Every time a vehicle passes over it on the A38 Main Road in Kempsey, the metal cover makes a “loud noise” that can be heard several streets away.

Villager Adrian Ludlam said: “I live in Bannut Hill and we can hear it in the lounge and all through the night – it keeps us awake.”

George Beck, a resident of Kempsey, reported the issue to the council six weeks ago.

Councillor Martin Allen said he had been trying to get the issue sorted for months.

Cllr Allen said he was told by Worcestershire Highways that it was a Severn Trent issue, but when he met with residents and press on site a worker for the water company turned up.

The engineer said the access point does not belong to Severn Trent and was more likely to house BT broadband cabling.

Cllr Allen said he was very frustrated and will be demanding answers from the county council.

Cllr Allen said: “It’s not good enough.

“I’ve gone to the trouble of getting the press, residents, and Severn Trent out here to find out Highways didn’t check properly and it’s a BT cover.

“The fight continues.”

A resident of Centurion Drive said another noisy cover was also causing problems.

They said: “It’s been going on for some time – since they widened the road when they extended the estate.

“It’s really annoying.

“But the one on the main road is so much louder.”

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “The developer has now taken this on as part of their remedial work to be started next week as it was installed as part of the Section 278 works.”