March residents can’t use their gardens because of noise and pollution from railway engines on nearby track

People living off Landau Way are campaigning to try to halt the noise and pollution from railway engines that stop on tracks close to their homes with their motors running, sometimes for more than an hour.

One woman, who has been in her bungalow for a year, said the pollution is so bad she has not yet been able to use her clothes line since she’s lived there.

The tracks are raised which means the drivers can see directly into homes while they sit in their engine cabs.

The woman has to keep windows closed because of the pollution created and to stop the dirt caused by the diesel fumes from getting into her home.

She said Network Rail have previously agreed the engines should not stop on the tracks near her home and have also said the engines should be left running for no more than 10 minutes at a time.

She said: “It is just awful the noise is constant for at least an hour sometimes nearly two. Early morning is the worst time for it and they just sit there making a noise, pumping out fumes. It is spoiling the enjoyment of our homes.

“We are all older, retired people and we should be able to sit in our gardens without this terrible disturbance,” said the woman, who has kept a log.

MP Steve Barclay has called for Fenland District Council to carry out noise and air pollution monitoring and is also writing to Network Rail urging them to stop the practice.

He said: “It is unacceptable, there appears to be no reason why these engines are kept running for such long periods of time.

“Network Rail needs to act and Fenland needs to ensure the air pollution levels are safe for these residents.

“The railway is becoming much busier and the situation for these residents appears to be worsening. It is not acceptable that people should have to endure this kind of disturbance in their homes.”