Overnight roadworks 'are making sleep impossible'

Families say ongoing overnight roadworks to install a new cycle path, bus lane and pedestrian crossings are making sleep "impossible".

Work on a two-year road improvement project in Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire, started in the spring and is expected to finish by the end of 2026.

Jess Ridge, who lives right behind where the works are currently happening, says it sometimes "goes on until 2am" and even with the windows shut "the whole house vibrates".

South Gloucestershire Council said it will "monitor the situation closely, making adjustments where possible to minimise the impact".

Miss Ridge, has two children, one of whom is currently sitting his GCSE mock exams.

Last week when there were overnight works from Monday to Thursday, she said there was "a JCB digging outside my son's bedroom window into the early hours".

She said that the lack of sleep is having a "huge impact on his mental health, he is really struggling".

Residents are notified when overnight works are planned but Mrs Ridge said there are often times when work is done at night outside of the scheduled dates.

She recalled being woken up in the summer by "sudden drilling" which sounded like an "aeroplane engine being blown up".

It was actually high-powered blow torches melting the tarmac, which let off a "horrendous smell which literally filled the house with fumes".

The noise and smell "frightened my daughter to death", said Jess.

Miss Ridge was later told by South Gloucestershire Council that it was emergency work which is why residents were not told in advance.

Miss Ridge said it is not just the machinery noise that is disruptive, it is the "flashing lights, beeping their machines constantly and shouting at each other".

She said her and her neighbours feel there is a "lack of acknowledgment and empathy from the council".

She said: "They just don't seem to care and we have to put up with another year of this."

The residents know the work has to be done, but they are calling for "a compromise so work stops at midnight".

'I'm getting no sleep'

Another resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, lives on Bradley Stoke Way with her four year-old son.

She said: "It's really bad. I'm getting no sleep."

The 33-year-old mum said it has "impacted the quality of my work".

She also suffered from migraines and said they have increased recently which she thinks has been "triggered by the lack of sleep".

Like Miss Ridge, she has complained to the council, and said she does not understand why these works can not be done during the day.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: "We understand these works will have an impact on nearby residents.

'We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption and delays whilst construction takes place."

The spokesperson said the council will "monitor the situation closely, making adjustments where possible to minimise the impact".

South Gloucestershire Council said the project would make it quicker and easier for people to travel in, out and around Bradley Stoke.

The work includes the construction of separate cycle lanes and foot paths, installing improved bus stops, adding an additional priority bus lane and building pedestrian crossings.