Residents annoyed by ‘awful noise’ from Whitehaven lighthouse artwork

Two horn speakers were placed on Whitehaven’s West and North Pier Lighthouses earlier this year as part of an artwork installation by the Turner Prize winning artist Susan Philipsz.

It is a recording of the sound of two conch shells from the Caribbean and can be heard on the hour every day from 10am until 5pm.

Residents living at Bransty say the sound is travelling up to Bransty Road and have described the noise as ‘awful’, ‘loud’ and ‘annoying’.

Elaine Cargill, who lives at Bransty, said:  “It is actually the most awful noise and is really loud.  I know there’s a few on Bransty that have said the same.”

Another Bransty resident said: “The noise is annoying. I think it needs turned down. I wouldn’t like to live on the harbour. I can’t sit in my garden in peace.”

Edwin Dinsdale, who represents Whitehaven Central South on the town council, said: “I sympathise with the position that has been taken. I think before the installation has taken place, there should have been a full consultation. I hope there was. It’s going to have to be looked at.

“There are a lot of flats on the harbour front. I’ve been down there myself, walking the dog and you do notice it. Like most, I come and go from the harbour but if you’re constantly there, it must be a bit annoying.

“If the wind is blowing in the right direction, it will be taking it up to Bransty.”

By Sound Near Seawall is part of a series of artworks aimed to offer additional points of interest along the Cumbrian Coast.

They are part of Cumberland Council’s coastal programme funded by the UK Government’s Coastal Communities Fund and Sellafield Ltd’s Six Social Impact Multiplied programme.

A spokesperson for The Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners said: “The initial operating parameters, which are on the hour for approximately five minutes each between 10am and 5pm daily, were set in liaison with the council and the artist.

“As the owners of the lighthouses on which the artwork sits we remain in regular contact with the council and will of course follow up.”