Worries surface over piling project noise
It’s claimed Network Rail ‘keeping residents in dark’
Uncertainty over the timescale of noisy nightime and early morning work on the Dunblane to Stirling railway line is making residents living beside the tracks anxious.
Work on the electrification of the line involving the installation of piles and concrete foundations is to take place over the coming months.
In a letter Network Rail have told residents piling will be for a ‘limited period’ and will ‘only be disruptive’ for a part of the December 2, 2017 to March 2018 timeframe.
But teacher Dave Cantwell – who lives in a cottage with his wife Vivien and their teenage son – only 15 metres from the line this week hit out at Network Rail’s lack of clarity on when the work will take place and when it will end.
He said: “The four-month window we have been given is ambiguous. The end date is open. It could be the start of March or the end of March.
“And December 2 has been and gone, but no work has taken place as yet. We’ve been left wondering when they will appear.
“I have lived here for 28 years near a tunnel and viaduct and I’ve never had that amount of time allocated for railway work before.
“We’re worried about getting sleep. We don’t know when they will appear. They have left themselves quite open to any night they can appear and do this.”
Mr Cantwell said the latest approach by Network Rail is a departure from previous work they have carried out on the railway line over the years.
He said: “What used to happen, especially with noisy nightime work, was that contractors would let you know that you are not going to sleep through this in any shape or form.
“They would specify a window, tell you to decant somewhere and they would pay the bill. “That doesn’t happen any more. “I’d like them to be more proactive and user-friendly. A meeting with residents would be a good way to proceed. It’s not a big ask.
“Previous contractors used to do that, but they don’t take us into account. They ride roughshod over us.”
A Network Rail was asked to comment but had not responded at the time of the Observer going to press.