Vibrations from Northern Beaches Hospital roadworks blamed for carport collapse
A FAMILY whose brick carport collapsed and destroyed three cars is blaming vibrations caused by roadworks for the new Northern Beaches Hospital.
Manly
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A FAMILY whose brick carport collapsed and destroyed three cars is blaming vibrations caused by roadworks for the new Northern Beaches Hospital.
The Kasmars, who live in Frenchs Forest, say their home has been shaken constantly by drilling and noise for close to two years.
Last Thursday night their 15-year-old carport in Naree Rd suddenly buckled, sending tonnes of bricks, concrete and tiles crashing on to a luxury, late-model Volvo SUV as well as a Holden Barina and a Holden ute.
Roads and Maritime Services yesterday confirmed it would investigate claims the carport collapse was linked to roadworks.
Deb Kasmar said the noise of the carport coming down at 7pm was so loud she thought there had been a five-car pileup.
“We came running downstairs to see the carport had collapsed — the noise was unbelievable,” she said.
Police and NSW Fire & Rescue advised the family to spend the night in a hotel in case the their house had been compromised.
Mrs Kasmar, her husband Clayton, their two children, aged 14 and 18, as well as her elderly parents, who live downstairs, stayed at the TraveLodge in Brookvale.
On Friday a structural engineer gave them the all-clear to move back in. Their insurance company was inspecting the house yesterday.
Mrs Kasmar said the carport had six concrete pillars and a tiled roof.
But she said they suffered almost constant vibrations from the drilling associated with widening Naree Rd.
“I think the roadworks have probably contributed in some form to what happened,” she said. “We can feel our house vibrating most days and nights. They have to drill into solid rock.”
Mrs Kasmar said RMS had offered to relocate them on nights when the noise was particularly bad. “It has been hell,” she said.
A RMS spokesman said it would investigate claims a carport which collapsed on Naree Rd was related to roadwork being carried out as part of preparations for the opening of Northern Beaches Hospital.
The State Government is spending $500 million to upgrade local roads to prepare for the opening of the hospital, scheduled for October.
Ferrovial York Joint Venture is designing and building the road upgrades.
Last month the Manly Daily reported the roadworks were more than a year behind schedule.
