Residents living near a Cardiff park say their quality of life is being affected by round-the-clock drilling, with some complaining of headaches, sleep disruption and vibrations inside their homes.
The 24-hour operation at Hailey Park in Llandaff North has reignited tensions between local residents and Welsh Water over a pumping station project that has been a longstanding source of frustration in the area.
Although plans were approved in 2022, progress has been slow following a series of delays, a legal challenge and damage to machinery caused by the waterlogged site.
Project details and background
The project will pump sewage from the planned 7,000-home Plasdŵr housing development across the River Taff, near Llantrisant Road, and up to an existing sewage system. From there, the wastewater will be transported to Cardiff Wastewater Treatment Works.
In September 2026, Welsh Water was granted permission to carry out drilling around the clock, with work beginning later that month.
Now, residents have told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the constant noise and vibrations are taking a toll on their daily lives.
Residents share their experiences
When the local LDR visited the site, noise levels were measured at 50 decibels - comparable to moderate rainfall. The drilling could also be heard from Melingriffith Water Pump, a historic monument less than half a kilometre away.
Steph Wilkins, 56, who was involved in the failed legal challenge against the drilling works, told the LDRS that the vibrations from the site were having a major impact on her life.
She said: “In my house, there’s only one spot that I can sit down in, where I don’t feel it as much.
“Last night, I had to go and stay with a friend who lives down the road, just to get away from the noise because it was affecting my sleep.”
Steph said the vibrations were also causing motion sickness, headaches and earaches. She added that the noise had made her garden unusable, that there was no respite from the disruption, and described Welsh Water as “totally inconsiderate” towards local residents.
Another local resident Milly Hardy, 37, called the noise “really frustrating” and said that it has been a hot topic of conversation in the neighbourhood.
Amanda Smith, 60, said the constant background noise was “annoying” and so present that on the rare occasion it did stop “you’re thinking, what’s missing?”.
She continued: “One of the most annoying things is the lack of communication.”
Milly moved to the area with her family just before the drilling operation had begun. When asked if she would still have moved to the area if she knew about the noise she said “it definitely would have made an impact on our decision”.
She added: “I just think that there’s been no real consideration to the locals and to the wildlife.”
Welsh Water response
Welsh Water spokesperson said: “We recognise the impact that overnight tunnelling work at Hailey Park Pumping Station is having on some members of the local community and we are working with those affected to mitigate the disturbance as much as possible.
“The current 24-hour tunnelling is required to carry out this phase of work safely whilst reducing the risk of further delays.
“Mitigation measures are in place to manage noise levels and keep disruption to the local community to an absolute minimum.
“This includes the installation of acoustic noise barriers and continuous noise monitoring around the site.
“We will continue to work with our contractor and the local community to minimise disruption wherever possible and would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.”
