Scrapyard noise ceases for holidays, giving neighbours respite

The sound of silence was a most welcome holiday gift for some Saint John revellers Christmas morning, now that a west-side scrapyard has temporarily ceased loading metal onto a nearby cargo ship.

Work has been on hold at the American Iron& Metal scrapyard, meaning the disruptive noise that residents have complained about since the summer has also stopped.

While it was business as usual earlier this week, Christmas morning was nice and quiet.

"For the last two days, it has been rather noisy," said Brenda Seeley, who moved into her apartment in August right across from the scrapyard.

She said her unit comes with a gorgeous view of the city, and the occasional loud industrial banging. The loading of the ships typically starts at 6 a.m. and lasts until late in the evening, Seeley said.

"It's annoying later at night because we're not used to it going on all night, but I think last night they probably stopped at 11 p.m.," she said.

'It's meant local jobs'

Like the nearby residents, the loaders at the port are also on a holiday break, bringing relief to all.

The loading stopped at noon Monday, and won't resume again until Thursday.

But for Jim Quinn, president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, the noise is just the sound of commerce.

"It's meant local jobs here, direct and indirect, and that's the big story, as is everything we do here at the port," he said. "This port is a gateway for the province and so the more ships that come here and the more exports that can move out to the local marketplace, the busier those plants and operations can be."

For now, the residents will at least be able to enjoy a few silent nights through the holidays.