BLEARY-eyed residents of Ammanford's Station Road say they can't get a decent night's sleep because of ongoing track repairs in the vicinity of Tirydail Station.

Town councillor Emma Thomas said residents had complained of noise disturbance and feared that the works would continue over the Christmas period.

Cllr Julia Rees said she was among the affected. "I've noticed this noise over the past ten days and didn't know where it was coming from," she said.

"People living nearby are suffering sleep deprivation," said Cllr Thomas. "If I was living down there I certainly wouldn't like it.

"One of the workers said the work would be going on until after Christmas."

Residents of Station Road received letters from Network Rail warning them of the works the day after the company was contacted by the Guardian and Cllr Thomas visited Station Road to experience the problem at first hand.

The letters describe the maintenance as "essential" which had to be carried out at night but Network Rail intended to keep disturbance to a minimum.

"The noise has been quite bad," said one resident. "Your sleep is bound to be disturbed by the sound of engines running, trucks reversing and grinding rocks.

"Railtrack say the works will take 15 nights and as they started last week we're hoping they'll end this Friday."

Cllr Thomas said: "Having been down there myself I think residents have every right to complain – having to put up with this noise in the middle of the night is quite simply appalling.

"While I accept track repairs have to be carried out, you'd have thought local people would have been notified first."

A Network Rail spokeswoman apologised for the inconvenience caused.

 "We are carrying out essential works to the platform of the station and residents may contact our Community Helpline on 08457 11 41 41," she said.