Railway workers have been branded as "shocking and outrageous" after they bared their bottoms at nearby residents.

Rivenhall villagers have lodged a catalogue of complaints with the parish council include claims that labourers have been urinating in broad daylight.

And the workers even "mooned" one elderly woman after she complained about the behaviour at Oak Road.

Parish councillor, Sid Gurton, said there had also been complaints that the workers had been parking their vans on grass verges and cutting them up.

Mr Gurton, of Church Road, said: "It is unacceptable behaviour. People who live in a quiet village do not expect to be confronted with such things."

The parish council took action immediately the complaints were lodged and wrote to Railtrack. They have received a reply but Mr Gurton said the council are not happy.

Mr Gurton said: "We know these workers are only sub-contracted by Railtrack but we feel something must be done.

"I would hope some action would be taken by Railtrack to stop this terrible behaviour which is unacceptable."

"We will be taking further action and will be deciding at our next parish council meeting what that action will be."

A spokeswoman for Railtrack said: "Even though the workers are not Railtrack employees they would be expected to comply with company rules. If what people are saying is proved to be true then it would be taken very seriously.

"It would be disgraceful for anyone carrying out work on Railtrack's behalf to be behaving in this way."

Since the derailment of a freight train in 1995 work has taken place at the site to repair the damage. Currently work is being done on the signalling at the Rivenhall End part of the line.

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