Earthquake earache for Dallam Avenue residents

Morecambe residents have hit out over their living “earthquake” as demolition work on the iconic Broadway Hotel continues.
The view from a house adjacent to the Broadway Hotel demolition site in MorecambeThe view from a house adjacent to the Broadway Hotel demolition site in Morecambe
The view from a house adjacent to the Broadway Hotel demolition site in Morecambe

Residents on Dallam Avenue are fuming over the loud noises and vibrations the work is causing on a daily basis.

The Broadway Hotel, a jewel in Morecambe’s entertainment and tourism crown for years, has been demolished to make way for 52 retirement flats.

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Property company McCarthy & Stone is spending £11m on the build which will create 120 jobs.

Val Cope at the site of the demolished Broadway Hotel, MorecambeVal Cope at the site of the demolished Broadway Hotel, Morecambe
Val Cope at the site of the demolished Broadway Hotel, Morecambe

But nearby families are struggling to cope as the vibrations power through their homes.

Mrs Valerie Cope, 64, has lived on Dallam Avenue for 15 years and is upset her quiet residential area is now a “noisy” building site.

Mrs Cope said: “I just don’t think it is right that we have to put up with this, the noise is driving me mad.

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“It is not like they are building a new road, they said when I phoned them up ‘we are helping the community by building a new property’, they are in it for one reason, to make profit.”

Demolition work is now in its final stages with work being undertaken to clear the ground and to recycle previous materials on site.

McCarthy & Stone are contracted for work between the 8am to 5pm weekday threshold which includes 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Resident Christine Suthers said the “horrendous” work is causing her several headaches.

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She said: “I keep getting bad heads with it. When you have a day off and you want a lie-in you can’t, it is so infuriating.

“They want to stretch a crane through my garden, ruining my trees.

“I had a lovely sea view, they are not bothered about my sea view as long as everybody gets their sea view in the flats.”

When finished the building will encompass a new seven-storey building, complete with a roof terrace, balconies and landscaped areas.

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Mrs Cope said: “The other day I was lying on my bed and a candle stick holder on my drawers fell off because of the vibrations, it’s like a earthquake.”

Iain Fleming, construction director from McCarthy & Stone Northern, said: “We have endeavoured to minimise the impact of all work on local residents by adopting a number of control measures.

“After writing to all residents to inform them of the demolition start date, we have ensured that noise and vibration levels have remained within British standard guidance.

“Consideration has been given to the tower crane position to ensure that we have no over-sailing to adjacent properties.

“We would like to thank local residents for their continued patience and understanding.”

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