Oh, not that noise again

Firms in the downtown Ferry Building were furious yesterday at the return of jackhammers and concrete cutters to lay a Telecom cable.

The noise had commuters scurrying and businesses cursing the loss of trade, just 12 months after the Auckland City Council dug up the footpath on Quay St for new bluestone paving.

Sharon Wech, who manages the Harbour Information Centre, was at her wits' end yesterday at the latest disruption.

When she arrived at work at 8am the noise was deafening and she could not hear customers speaking. "It is a stupid time to do it."

David Song, whose Seattle Coffee Bar was beside the work, said staff could barely hear customers' orders.

Jan Underdown contacted the Herald to say she was appalled to see the pavers being dug up so soon after being laid.

Council network assurance manager Barry Williams said the pavers were being dug up by Telecom to lay a new fibre optic service connection to a tenant in the Ferry Building.