FUNERAL services at a village church are being disturbed by noise coming from operations at Backwell's busy recycling centre. Leaders at St Andrew's

FUNERAL services at a village church are being disturbed by noise coming from operations at Backwell's busy recycling centre.Leaders at St Andrew's Church have been forced to complain to North Somerset Council environmental chiefs because the crashes and bangs from the tip can be heard during burials in the churchyard.The Reverend Simon Hill said: "Since the tip has moved the amount of noise has increased considerably. It is a continued irritant to many people."There have been times when during burials in the churchyard the noise from the tip has been evident in the background."It is the internal workings of the tip which is causing the noise, not the traffic which is going past. I have spoken to North Somerset Council about my concerns and they are aware of the church's feelings on the issue."Rev Hill is not the only person to complain about increased noise at the tip, with residents saying the noise is disturbing their peace.One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "All I hear is crash, bang when the large containers are moved about or stuff is dropped into them. It is seven days a week and it is becoming impossible to enjoy my garden."Local councillors have also taken up the matter with North Somerset Council and are now calling for a meeting with executive member for the environment, Carl Francis-Pester.Backwell Councillor Karen Barclay said: "I am aware of the problems being encountered by the church and local residents. "I have asked for a meeting with the executive member so we can discuss a way forward."Council bosses said a number of measures had now been implemented following complaints to reduce the noise from the tip.Staff from Viridor, which operates the site on behalf of the council, have agreed not to move any containers on a Sunday where possible.The use of site plant to move containers has been prohibited and skips are now being rolled rather than pushed.Staff at the site have also been told not to compact containers on a Sunday before 10.30am and when they do to tackle all of them at once to reduce the noise levels.Heavy electrical goods are not allowed to be placed in the scrap bin and are separated for collection to reduce noise.Steel clad wooden railway sleepers have also been installed along the walls for the bays to reduce the noise caused by the containers when they are slid into position.North Somerset Council spokesman Richard Turner said: "Regular noise monitoring is carried out at Backwell Recycling Centre and, as a result, several measures have been put in place to reduce noise levels at the site.