THE construction firm building Hexham’s new schools has apologised to residents for noise disruption.

Contractor Galliford Try has led the building project after planning permission was granted in January.

Coun. Derek Kennedy, who represents Hexham West on Northumberland County Council, said residents had been disrupted by noise beyond the scheduled working hours.

In a statement released by the county council, which is largely funding the project alongside a contribution from the Department for Education, an apology has been issued.

A council spokeswoman said the noise occurred during July, while workers were undertaking a process of ‘power floating’, to provide a high quality finish to the concrete pour.

She added: “The weather was particularly bad which meant they could not complete within the agreed daily working hours, and therefore undertook the power floating outside of these times and into the evening.

“Appreciating some concerns raised by residents regarding the noise, they directly apologised to those affected by this, issued a wider newsletter and agreed to amend their working practices to ensure that the issue wouldn’t happen again.”

“As always, any disruption directly related to the project will be kept to a minimum.”