Teddy Hall finalists fear noise disruption from building work
Teddy Hall finalists fear that building work will disrupt their studies during the next two terms
Teddy Hall has come under fire from finalists over planned building work in the middle of one of the College’s quads. Scaffolding was erected on Teddy Hall’s rear quad on 15th October, preventing students from accessing the adjacent accommodation block directly from the JCR. For the next two terms, workers will repair the roof of the building that has suffered from a persistent leak for a few years.
Students fear that the construction will be noisy and disruptive, interfering with work for final exams. A finalist, who did not wish to be named, said he was, “definitely worried that this will disrupt the peace and quiet. If the College had put students first, they would have done it over the summer.
The work was supposed to take place in September, but JCR President, Céline Tricard, said there had been, “was some delay of unknown reasons… Leaving it until Christmas would lengthen the time taken and affect students revising during Trinity.” She stressed that, “Students do not know how much noise this is going to be. The construction has not begun yet.
The building work is being done in preparation for a more ambitious project involving a new lecture theatre, a lobby with disabled access and extra seminar rooms. The College bursar, Geoffrey Bourne-Taylor, said that, “If the building is done over the summer, there is a likelihood that much needed income from conferences will be lost. If we decided to build in term time, there will be the disruption to students.
The College has agreed to reduce the rents of those who live above the building site, stating that there will be a ‘sensible discount’ for those directly affected. Provisions have been made for students who require special e-mail and IT facilities to work elsewhere. The building work is being carried out in an attempt to increase college income from conference guests.
A physics finalist, who also prefers not to be named, said, “We are concerned, but we understand the financial difficulties they have to deal with.”
27th Oct 2005