NIGHT-time freight trains operating through the Central Belt have been found to be disrupting residents and breaching noise guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), according to a new report.
Residents living near the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway track complained for years to council officials about the noise and vibration of freight trains passing by during the night.
The locomotives are mainly transporting coal to Longgannet Power Station near Kincardine.
Residents have complained about the high levels of noise from the track, and some said it was causing their properties to shake.
Stirling Council's report published yesterday revealed the findings of a noise and vibration assessment carried out in the area in July this year.
It found that the WHO guidelines - which advise night- time noise should not exceed 60 decibels - is being exceeded by 20 to 30 decibels in many of the locations surveyed along the line due to the trains.
According to the report, typical background noise levels between 1am and 6am were in the range of 30 to 40 decibels. However, freight trains that operate at this time produced peak noise levels of 75 to 90 decibels, giving a large difference between event noise levels and general background sound.
It said the trains may not appear to be as noisy during the day because background noise tends generally to be higher.
The Stirling and Kincardine re-opened in 2008 after being disused for a number of years.
The line is generally used by passenger services between Alloa and Glasgow and by the coal trains, which have been running at night since December 2008.
Four properties along the line were fitted with noise and vibration equipment that monitored the sound continuously for two days.
The report, by Sandy Brown Associates, said: "Noise and vibration from night time train movements has been the main subject of complaints from residents.
"The results of the survey show that noise levels from train events are similar throughout the day and night time but the background noise level is lower at night, making the high noise levels from trains more noticeable.
"Available guidance suggests that the greater the difference between the background noise level and maximum event noise levels, the higher the probability of causing a disturbance."
The report noted the "very high maximum noise levels" carried "a high probability of causing major disturbance to nearby residents' sleep", and stated that reducing train speed even by half would not make a significant difference.
It concluded: "We believe the impact of night time freight train operations meets the criteria required to constitute a statutory noise nuisance."
The report was commissioned by Stirling Council's Environment and Housing Committee, which is due to have a meeting on November 20 where independent legal advice will be sought to advise the council on how it might be able to proceed in terms of any enforcement action.
Danny Gibson, convenor of the Environment Committee, said: "This independent report commissioned by the council following concerns from residents will be presented at our Committee meeting this week.
"Further independent legal advice is being sought at the present time, so it is likely that this matter will be fully considered at our next meeting on February 5 once this advice is received."
The 13-mile Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway opened in May 2008. The Herald first revealed the problem facing residents in 2009.
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