NETWORK Rail has paid for weekend breaks for residents living close to the Swindon to Kemble redoubling works who are affected by constant noise and vibrations.

Sleepless nights and damage to roads will soon end in Purton as disruption from the redoubling of the Swindon to Kemble rail lines comes to a close this month.

Residents living just yards away from the rail lines have been kept awake by work on the line between midnight and 5am, and some have been offered hotel accommodation by Network Rail as compensation.

Following reports of extensive damage to Collins Lane, which intersects the track, Network Rail says it will work with the Highways Agency to repair faults after the work is completed.

The project has taken 12 months to complete, and First Great Western has warned commuters travelling over the bank holiday weekend that the route between Swindon and Gloucester will be closed for the completion of the £45m scheme.

Purton resident Jacqui Lay said: “My sleep patterns have been unbelieveable while the work has been going on and we are glad it is nearly over.

“I have had a huge train parked outside my house for a long time now and they do not work day shifts, so we get the noise from the works all through the night.

“A lot of residents have been consistently woken up at around 2.30am every night and this train is probably around 50 feet away from me. When it is so close it is very much in your life.

“There is an awful lot of damage that has been done to Collins Lane, and there are, particularly people living right on the level crossing, who have been badly affected by the vibrations. The company have paid for them to go on breaks for some weekends to help out, and they have been very good at communicating with us along the way. My view is they need to learn from this because they have got the electrification project still to come.”

Network Rail has said it will investigate damage caused by the works alongside the Highways Agency.

A spokesman said: “The redoubling of the Swindon to Kemble line is vital work to pave the way for increased capacity and reduced journey times, and better performance and punctuality that electrification and new electric trains will bring for future services.

“As is the case with most major works near to residential properties, a certain amount of disruption is unfortunately unavoidable. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”