Editor:
An open letter to City of New Westminster staff:
I'm a resident of New Westminster and need to speak with you regarding updates to the construction project on Carnarvon Street.
(Recently), news channels reported that we had over 100 new COVID-19 cases and are on the brink of a new wave in B.C. Since the first wave, I have been isolated at home, after my clinic shut down in accordance with the government's recommendations.
Since then, I have only returned to work part time, from home.
My husband and I live at 900 Carnarvon Street - just a few doors down from a construction project.
I'm sure you have heard from other residents how incredibly loud the noise pollution is on this project. We have tried to be patient - after all, construction is a necessary and loud reality.
However, recently the noise levels have increased as the team adds more and more machines to work on the excavation. In addition, I've noticed they have been working later and later, providing us only a few short hours of peace before bed.
Our only relief from the constant noise pollution is to leave our house, which puts our health at risk. My husband is immunocompromised and my own immune system is lower than normal as I'm currently six months pregnant. Most importantly, I am absolutely terrified at what will happen after I give birth.
Once the baby is here, there is a very real chance that the noise will prevent him from being able to sleep. Newborns need to sleep about 16 hours per day and if 12 out of 24 hours are spent surrounded by inescapable noise - preventing him from being able to sleep - it will affect his development and overall health.
Please help us. My husband and I are starting to go mad with the noise and are not sure what to do. It's terrible feeling this helpless. We ask for more than empathy. We ask that you take action.
The only reason to continue this work for so many hours a day … is money … I hope you agree that there are more important things than protecting corporate pockets.
What I am asking of, specifically, is this:
- That the hours of construction be decreased each day to no more than eight consecutive hours and;
- That the number of days of construction per week be decreased from six to five - with no noise pollution on weekends.
Yes, I know this will impact their construction schedule. But is that really such a bad thing? Are there not more important things at stake like people's health and, dare I say, sanity? Large corporations need to accept the new reality of COVID-19, that has affected so many small businesses, and do the right thing. If we all (businesses big and small) show our fellow man a bit more compassion - leading with our hearts instead of our pocket books, we may just make it through this thing.
My deepest appreciation for your help in this matter.
Ewa Reid, New Westminster
