PEOPLE living alongside the railway running through Swindon are being warned to expect night time disruption as the electrification programme arrives in the town.

Network Rail will be carrying out work to install the new overhead power lines for the electric trains over a six month period beginning next month. This will see them working alongside the railway line through the night.

Community relations executive Marz Sholanke said: “We need to install stanchions every 40 to 60m to support the overhead line equipment. We will install these steel foundations by vibratory and percussive piling methods and build concrete foundations by auguring and pouring concrete.

"There will be deliveries and plant movements along with illumination of site for night time working.

“Foundation installation by nature is a noisy activity however it depends on distance from piling location. We also make every effort to minimise any unnecessary or avoidable noise.”

Work is expected to begin on Saturday, December 19, and run through until Friday, June 24, 2016.

“It is worth noting that we may not be working every single night during this period and therefore this is a general outlook to the period mentioned above,” said Marz.

“Please also note that this work is of a transient nature and will be undertaken over a 7.5 mile stretch of track so we will not be repeatedly working in the same location.

"We update our website regularly in order to provide the specific locations of where we are conducting piling activities.”

Network Rail workers will be working through the night, with mid-week night shifts being carried out from 9.30pm until 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Weekend night shifts will be carried out from 11.30pm on Saturdays until 8.30am on Sundays and again from 9.30pm on Sunday evening until 4.30am on Monday morning.

Marz said: “We recognise that construction work on the railway can be disruptive to those living or working nearby.

"The nature of our work often means some disturbance is unavoidable, but please be assured that every effort is made to minimise any unnecessary noise and we have reminded all staff and contractor to be considerate of the environment they are working in.”

The installation of the new electric pylons will allow the new high speed electric trains planned for the Great Western Railway to run through Swindon. They are expected no earlier than 2017.

Meanwhile Network Rail is carrying out work at Stratton Green Bridge, which remains closed to cars until the beginning of March next year. Network Rail will be dismantling the bridge and rebuilding it so that it is high enough to accommodate the new electric pylons.

For detailed information on Network Rail’s piling locations, dates and times visit www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/Wiltshire/

Works is also planned for the new year in Royal Wootton Bassett where work will take place around three bridges.