MORE Singaporeans are speaking out against noise pollution arising from construction activity.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), it received 11,327 complaints in the first ten months this year.

This is up from 9,228 complaints last year and 6,160 in 2006, Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said in a written reply released on Wednesday to a question in Parliament from Dr Lam Pin Min (Ang Mo Kio GRC).

Dr Lam asked about the number of complaints that the NEA received in the last three years on noise pollution as a result of increased construction activities, and whether measures are in place to keep noise levels down.

Dr Yaacob said one reason for the spike in complaints could be the increase in construction activity - from 5,023 sites in 2006 to 6,098 sites last year.

'Another factor could be higher expectations from our public for a quieter environment,' he added.

To meet these expectations, the NEA, which regulates noise from construction sites, implemented two measures in October last year.

First, it lowered the permissible construction noise limits for night-time construction work and on Sundays and public holidays.

It also increased the maximum fine for construction noise violations from $20,000 to $40,000.

Dr Yaacob said that during noise-sensitive periods like school examinations, the NEA advises contractors to limit their work even if noise levels are within the regulated limits.

Errant contractors who repeatedly violate the permissible noise limits could be issued with orders that restrict the operation hours at their sites.

The Straits Times reported in May this year that the NEA found 237 construction sites last year where noise levels exceeded permissable limits.