A FED-UP Stratton Road resident has suggested Network Rail should be using less disruptive piling methods in its engineering work to upgrade the London to Bristol line.

Residents have complained for months that their sleep is being disturbed as piles are driven deep into the ground to provide a stable base for pylons needed for the electrification of the route.

Edward Browning said: “It is not necessary. I have had my toilet pan cracked and it leaked on to the floor. The flashing on the front bedroom window was shaken off at the same time as the pile driving was happening.

"Damage is being done to people’s property.”

He questioned why the firm was not using alternative methods like silent and vibration-free or piles that were screwed into the ground.

“It is all very well this company to send us notes - we have had about eight notes saying there is going to be working and noise going on - but it is causing disruption to people’s property and way of life,” he said.

Other residents in the area have complained online in recent weeks about overnight noise created by the piling work and damage to their properties.

“We have internal and external damage to our property following the piling works which Network Rail have completely shoved to the side, citing no responsibility at all, after our complaint and leaving us to foot the bill for the damage,” said one.

In the summer people living near the line in Royal Wootton Bassett said they were kept awake for several hours while it went on. The same happened in Brinkworth where the sound echoed up the hillside.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We communicate with our railway neighbours as much as possible prior to piling work as part of our railway upgrade plan and have hosted drop-in events and issued pre-notification letters before work has taken place.

“Piles are vibrated into the ground where possible to keep noise levels to a minimum, but sometimes, due to adverse ground conditions, we have to use a more forceful piling method which is noisier.

“If there was a practical way of installing these piles in a quieter way, we would be doing it.”

Over the weekend work was due to be carried out over night at Brinkworth, near Swindon railway station, Dauntsey Lock and Hullavington.

Tonight engineers are set to be working on the Transfer Bridges between 8pm and 6am. The railway is being electrified to allow quieter and cleaner trains to be brought into service on the route.

More information here: www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/great-western-mainline/wiltshire-swindon/