NETWORK Rail has been accused of failing to resolve noise and pollution problems from the Whitemoor marshalling yards two years after it opened. MP Malcolm Moss is calling for samples of dust to be taken and analysed after Network Rail claimed it was not

NETWORK Rail has been accused of failing to resolve noise and pollution problems from the Whitemoor marshalling yards two years after it opened.

MP Malcolm Moss is calling for samples of dust to be taken and analysed after Network Rail claimed it was not dust from the yard causing problems for residents.

The North-East Cambridgeshire MP turned up at last Thursday's meeting of the residents and Network Rail liaison group to voice his concerns.

He said: "I am disgusted that two years down the line a lot of things have not been put right.

Network Rail, after all, gets billions of pounds from the Government and they ought to be able to sort out these problems in March."

Mr Moss said residents from the Landau Way and Nightall Close areas had contacted him claiming their lives were being blighted by problems from the yards.

He claimed that:

- Diesel particulates are rotting residents' UPVC windows and doors.

- A new and quieter shunting engine had been taken out for servicing and the old, noisy shunting engine re-introduced.

- Dust from the yards was seeping into people's homes and cars.

- A hooter was being blown every hour throughout the night, disturbing residents' sleep.

- The promised feeder road to take traffic away from Norwood

Road had still not been built. A Network Rail spokesman said it took residents' concerns very seriously. He said: "At the meeting both the district and county council confirmed that there was no conclusive evidence that it is Whitemoor yard that is generating the dust. An extensive dust suppression system is in operation at the site and the yard itself was designed so that the wind would carry any dust away from people's properties.

"However, we fully support the further testing that will take place and will look at what further measures can be taken if it is proven that the yard is the cause of the dust."

He said the old shunting engine had now been replaced and all drivers at the yard were briefed to use the horn only when necessary for safety reasons.

Cambridgeshire County Council said it had only recently been able to acquire the land needed for the new road which will link the site to the A141 via Hostmoor but is keen to progress the scheme as quickly as possible.