Hamburg. Surprising notice in Ohlsdorf apartment buildings. How those affected react and why the offer is sometimes met with resistance.
At the beginning of the week, the notice suddenly appeared on the door of the apartment building on Meister-Bertram-Straße in Hamburger district Ohlsdorf: The residents are then informed that in the vicinity of the U5-Stop Barmbek-Nord, work will also be carried out on the construction site for short periods at night over the next two weeks. This work is scheduled to take place between August 7th and probably August 24th.
Die Construction work have been loud for a long time, says a tenant from the otherwise tranquil residential street: “They start at 7 a.m. and go on until 4 or 5 p.m. We can’t sit on the balcony during that time.” In addition, the small street is often used by drivers as a through road when there are traffic jams on the surrounding streets. The construction of the new U5 also brings restrictions to road traffic.
U5 construction site: Residents in Hamburg-Ohlsdorf can move into the hotel
In addition, there will now be night-time work, which is likely to exceed the noise emission guidelines. “In this case, you as a tenant or owner-occupier are entitled to compensation for the provision of suitable alternative accommodation,” the letter to residents states.
According to the Hamburger Hochbahn, around 300 households are affected in the area of the Nordheimstraße/Fuhlsbüttler Straße intersection, including those on Nordheimstraße, Sahlenburger Straße, Fuhlsbüttler Straße and Meister-Bertram-Straße.
U5 in Hamburg: Partial construction using open construction
“The majority of the first U5 construction section from Bramfeld to City Nord will be built using closed tunnel construction and will therefore be very quiet for residents,” says Lena Steinat, spokeswoman for Hochbahn U5 Projekt GmbH. The new stops and emergency exits and the section of track between the City Nord stop and the later starting shaft east of Sengelmannstrasse will, however, be built using open construction.
These notices from the Hochbahn informed the residents of the surrounding houses about the night-time work at the U5 construction site in Barmbek Nord in Hamburg. © Elisabeth Jessen | Elisabeth Jessen
“In these areas, temporary construction noise cannot always be completely avoided. The expected levels were determined by construction noise reports. The planning approval decision for the first U5 construction phase obliges Hochbahn U5 Projekt GmbH to take extensive noise protection measures,” says Steinat.
Construction noise from U5: Hochbahn must provide sound insulation
In cases where these measures are not sufficient and a noise level specified by the planning approval authority is exceeded, the Hochbahn will finance additional structural soundproofing measures on the buildings affected and reimburse rent reductions due to construction noise.
According to Steinat, during particularly noisy construction phases, affected residents are entitled to appropriate funding for alternative accommodation that they can choose themselves, such as hotel accommodation. However, they are under no obligation to do so. “In principle, these claims apply to buildings that are in the immediate vicinity of the open construction sites.”
Hotel accommodation: residents of Ohlsdorf can apply
According to the notice, residents can submit an application, which must include contact details and a copy of their ID card with their registered address to prove their entitlement. “We will immediately check your eligibility. If you are, we will inform you immediately,” it continues.
However, the cost of a hotel room may not exceed 107 euros per night. This is the average price for a double room in Hamburg according to Statista. As soon as the invoice including proof of payment is available, the Hochbahn will reimburse the costs.
Criticism of the Hochbahn service because information was provided at short notice
One resident criticizes both the fact that she and her neighbors were informed at such short notice and the amount of the hotel reimbursement. “It’s a bit crazy when you find out about something like that two days in advance. And how are we supposed to find a hotel room for 107 euros now? I don’t think they want anyone to accept that.”
Behind the construction fence you can see the construction site for the U5 between the houses. © Elisabeth Jessen | Elisabeth Jessen
Steinat says: “This amount is intended as a guideline. We examine each individual case.” For example, consideration is given to cases where hotel prices are higher due to events in the city or where residents have special needs, such as a disability.
Hochbahn admits: Information came at very short notice
“We generally try to provide early information, but sometimes project schedules have to be changed. In this case, it was at short notice.”
More on the topic
Her elderly neighbor has poor hearing and, when offered the option of moving into a hotel, says: “What am I supposed to do there? I’ll just take out my hearing aids. If the noise makes me fall out of bed, I’ll think again.”
Request for hotel rooms in Hamburg: So far, demand has been low
According to Steinat, nine households have so far applied for funding for replacement space, all of which have been approved.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that work has been carried out at night on the U5 construction site and that residents have been offered the opportunity to move into a hotel. “In other areas along the first construction phase from Bramfeld to City Nord, residents in the immediate vicinity have also been informed in advance of any possible limit violations and are being made aware of the possibility of financing alternative accommodation,” says Steinat. Three households in Bramfeld have accepted the offer.
