Exasperated villagers in Kempsey, Worcestershire, claim they are being robbed of sleep by a deafening manhole cover that sounds like gunshots. The loose BT-owned cover on Main Road has been causing an ear-splitting racket since February, with residents comparing the noise to living beside a metal factory.
Constant Noise Disrupts Daily Life
The clanging din can be heard around the clock as hundreds of vehicles pass over the cover, penetrating homes and waking residents in the early hours. Retired secretary Sally Linsey, 83, lives on the next road but can still hear the noise clearly. She described it as sounding like gunshots each morning, starting around 6am and continuing until 10pm at night. Heavy farm machinery and diverted motorway traffic from the M50 exacerbate the problem, making the noise constant during summer nights.
Villager Adrian Ludlam, who lives on Bannut Hill, can hear the noise in his lounge and throughout the night, keeping him awake. George Beck, 48, an ambulance technician and father of three, must wear earplugs to sleep. He reported the issue six weeks ago but nothing has been done. When the motorway closes at night, the constant stream of lorries creates a relentless bombardment of noise.
Community Frustration
Mum-of-two Natalie Peel, 43, lives about 100 metres away and can hear the noise in her garden. She feels sorry for those living opposite or next to the cover, as the sound vibrates through their houses. Local councillor Martin Allen has spent months trying to resolve the matter, involving the press, residents, and Severn Trent. It was discovered that the cover belongs to BT, not Severn Trent, and Highways had not checked properly. Allen stated, "It's not good enough. The fight continues."
Openreach Response
An Openreach spokesperson apologised for the disturbance and confirmed they are replacing the cover as soon as possible. The company said they were made aware of the noisy chamber cover on the A38 and are sorry for the disruption.
