March 2009 Newsletter
ACCON UK Becomes Member of the Association of Noise Consultants
In January 2009, ACCON UK was successfully admitted as a member of the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC). The ANC is the main organisation within the UK that represents noise consultants and provides appropriate audit of their procedures and quality. To obtain membership of the ANC, ACCON were required to demonstrate a high level of professional and technical competence and be able to consistently demonstrate their ability to produce high quality projects relating to noise and acoustics. In order to pass the scrutiny of the membership board, a number of our projects were closely scrutinized. Membership of the ANC is a significant achievement considering that ACCON was only founded in the UK 18 months ago.
For more information about the ANC, please see their website: www.association-of-noise-consultants.co.uk
ACCON Secure Major Irish Tram Contract
The Irish Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has awarded ACCON UK the contracts to carry out the noise and air quality assessments for the forthcoming Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed Luas BX and D tram line extensions in Dublin City Centre.
The Luas Line was opened in 2004 and currently has two tram lines crossing Dublin. Since its inception, passenger numbers have steadily increased and two new lines have been proposed – Lines BX and D, for which ACCON has been commissioned to provide noise and air quality consultancy services. Line BX is the continuation of the Luas Green Line, from St. Stephens Green into Dublin city centre, north across the Liffey to O’Connell Street and Parnell Street. Line D will carry on from Parnell Street and extend out of the City Centre and this will serve Broombridge, via Broadstone and Grangegorman, the site of the new Dublin Institute of Technology campus.
Currently ACCON is constructing a large scale noise model of Dublin City centre in order to assess the potential impacts of the scheme, as well as conducting an extensive noise monitoring programme and air pollutant assessments.
ACCON’s Managing Director Graham Parry said “This is a major commission for us to deliver the noise and air quality assessments and chapters for the environmental statement. The project will include extensive noise and air quality modeling. CadnaA software allows us to run the noise and air pollution modeling within the same model. This provides major efficiencies on the modeling side not usually available to many other consultants”.
Preparations for Wind Farm Public Inquiry Continue
ACCON are finalising preparations for the forthcoming Public Inquiry for the Poplar Lane wind farm in Shropshire. Additional noise and wind speed measurements are currently being carried out to provide accurate robust data for the evidence to be submitted by ACCON. The Public Inquiry will take place in May in Market Drayton, with ACCON UK’s Managing Director, Graham Parry, giving evidence on noise. Graham who has taken part in over 100 Public Inquiries, Planning Appeals and House of Lords Select Committee, is looking forward to the Public Inquiry - “ I have been involved with this wind farm project for several years now and it is always good when we see a project through the planning process. Public Inquiries are the culmination of often many months of work and it is always satisfying and challenging to work in such an arena. ”
ACCON Achieves Link Up Registration
ACCON UK has successfully obtained Link-Up Registration which is the UK rail industry supplier registration and qualification scheme. The scheme is used extensively by procurement, engineering, safety and quality professionals as well as organisations who need to comply with European Procurement Legislation and Railway Group Standards. Registration included a comprehensive audit of company systems and capabilities which needs to be renewed on a yearly basis.
Quality System Now Fully Operational
ACCON UK’s quality system is now fully operational and compliant to ISO 9001:2000. The system which has been implemented with the help of IMSM UK will benefit the company in many ways including improved internal working, improved customer satisfaction and loyalty and enhanced company status. Nick Hawkins, one of ACCON’s Directors said “As consultants we sell our expertise and people rely on our advice and decisions – mistakes cannot be tolerated. It’s more than just keeping track of documents and ensuring that spelling mistakes don’t occur, it is more about ensuring that everyone’s work is reviewed and that we don’t give people advice that is wrong and might cost them money. For consultants of any kind, having an effective, functional quality system with a robust audit trail is essential.”
ACCON off to the Nightclubs!
ACCON start 2009 with two new entertainment noise projects at The Spin Nightclub in Camberley and The Face Bar in Reading. This follows a year full of entertainment noise projects with projects in bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Wokingham, Henley, Mortimer, Thame, Maidenhead and Brick Lane in East London, to name a few. At The Spin in Camberley, ACCON were commissioned to undertake a noise impact assessment of the proposed nightclub on the surrounding area. ACCON also carried out a sound insulation test between the proposed nightclub and the neighbouring residential building to determine the likelihood of complaints regarding the noise from the nightclub. At The Face Bar in Reading, ACCON was instructed to carry out a noise assessment study and provide mitigation advice. It is proposed to convert the upper floor of the bar into a live music venue, however there is concern over the noise break-out from the building and how this may impact upon local residents. ACCON were commissioned to assess the acoustic performance of the existing roof and determine whether any acoustic treatments are required to ensure that complaints are not received.
Daylight and Sunlight Assessments on the Increase
ACCON has seen massive growth in the number of daylight and sunlight assessments that it has carried out over the last few months. ACCON’s daylight expert Nick Hawkins said “A year ago we were carrying out these assessments only very rarely, now we are receiving enquires about these almost daily. In the same way that a few years ago there was a massive increase in the number of sound insulation tests being requested, I think that Local Authorities are becoming more aware of the issues of daylight and how new developments might affect the levels of daylight that their neighbours will receive.”
Hailsham Cattle Market
In what was one of our most challenging projects this year, we were instructed by Wealden District Council to provide evidence at a Public Inquiry in support of the reasons for refusal in respect of a change of use to an Aldi food store. The challenge came in that we had three and a half days in which to carry out a detailed noise measurement survey, carry out noise modelling of the operations and submit our Proof of Evidence to the Planning Inspector. Utilising ACCON UK’s “can do” attitude we were able to meet the submission date and have subsequently provided a robust defence at Public Inquiry in respect of the reason for refusal relating to noise.