Disgruntled residents living near a train track in Aberdeen have hit out at rail bosses for keeping them up all night while work to improve the line is carried out.
People living in the north of the city, from as far as Bridge of Don to Dyce, said they were kept awake throughout Sunday night into Monday morning as men worked through the night on the major project.
Network Rail said the work was part of plans to improve journey times between Aberdeen and Inverness, beginning with site investigations and “vegetation clearance works” at various points on the track.
The operator sent out a letter in January to all residents living within a 200m vicinity of the line to tell them that work would commence at the end of January and continue through to June.
But some disgruntled people living outwith the area said they were just as affected by the noise, which was louder and further than anybody had been warned.
Last night, a spokesman for Network Rail said company protocol was to send a warning letter to people living up to 200m away from the railworks.
He said a handful of complaints had been received from people living outwith this area, and admitted the noise had travelled further than expected.
“The noise seems to be carrying, but we can’t be sure why that is,” he said.
In the letter sent earlier this year, rail bosses said it was necessary for some of the upgrade work to be carried out during the night when there are no trains running.
They explained it was part of a £170million investment by the Scottish Government to provide a “safe, reliable and efficient railway, fit for the 21st century”.
“We will be carrying out substantial vegetation clearance, drilling boreholes, core extractions and trial holes,” they said.
“This work will take place at existing railway bridges crossing the railway line at both track and deck level and at locations along the railway corridor.
“We will be using a variety of equipment which will include hand held drills, jack hammers and chain saws.”
Hundreds of people took to social media to complain about the noise.
Brenda Henderson: “What a noise here in Danestone – I can’t get any sleep. I know the work has to be done but should let us all know so we can be aware what the noise is.”
But Sharon Brady added: “It will be over soon. And then they can get about improving the rail network services that help lots of people get to and from work.”
