RESIDENTS in the East End have hit out at noisy contractors who are keeping them awake at night.

People living near the Glasgow to Whifflet railway line say they have been forced to endure weeks of loud drilling as engineers work to electrify the line.

Network Rail is using pile drivers to hammer concrete pillars into the ground as part of the upgrade, which will also complete electrification on the 13km stretch of line from Rutherglen East Junction to Whifflet North Junction, North Lanarkshire.

The line runs from Glasgow to Whifflet via Carmyle, Mount Vernon, Baillieston, Bargeddie and Kirkwood.

Work began just before Christmas and is being carried out at times when no trains are running, including evenings and weekends.

The project also includes platform extensions at Carmyle, Mount Vernon, Baillieston, Bargeddie and Kirkwood stations.

Tommy Adams, 49, who lives in Kenmuirhill Gardens off London Road, around 400 metres from the railway line, says he has been woken by the noise in the in the middle of the night.

The first phase of work, which is now under way, includes cutting back overhanging trees along the line and piling work to lay foundations for supports for overhead power lines. The work will continue at various points until March.

Engineers will then erect the overhead power line supports and power cables between March and June, Network Rail said.

The platform works will be done between February and June.

Tommy, who lives with his wife, Linda, 48, and sons Andrew, 24, and Scott, 21, was one of several residents who contacted local MSP John Mason about the noise.

Mr Mason wrote to the council to ask whether it had the power to stop contractors working late at night.

A council spokesman told the Evening Times that Network Rail have a legal right to carry out infrastructure work, but the authority works with the rail operator to reduce noise levels.

Tommy said: "They have been doing piling work which is fine when it was at the weekend but a couple of weeks ago I woke at 11.45pm.

"If I am making noise in my house or holding a noisy party the council would be down on me like a tonne of bricks but because this is a national company and because they have development rights there are no restrictions."

Mr Mason urged Network Rail to consider reviewing its working hours and perhaps do more work on Sundays, during the day, cutting night-time hours.

He said: "Given that several residents from communities all along the railway line have now complained about this issue, it's clearly something Network Rail and their contractors have to reconsider as a matter of urgency.

"I am absolutely in favour of the line being electrified and upgraded but the noise throughout the night is having a real impact on people's lives."

Network Rail has informed line-side residents about three drop-in information sessions which will be held about the works.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We understand the disruption these works will cause for some people. We will be holding drop-in events along the route and are examining a range of options for reducing noise where we can."

A council spokesman said: "Network Rail is a statutory undertaker, so we work closely with them to ensure best working practices are adhered to to reduce noise levels."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk