RAIL bosses are hoping to run a new 24-hour maintenance shed on land next to Harwich Port.

Greater Anglia’s proposed site, on land off the A120 bypass by Phoenix Bridge, would be used for the maintaining and storing train carriages and train parts as well as cleaning their wheels.

At present, restrictions are in place limiting site working hours between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am until 1pm on Saturdays. But the new proposal is calling for work to be carried out around the clock seven days a week.

However, some residents living near the site have objected to the plans with concerns the 24-hour work would have a negative impact on their lives.

Kalie Mills, of Yorktown Close, Dovercourt, said in her objection to Tendring Council’s planning portal: “It is a residential area so allowing work to be carried out 24/7 would create noise that would impact residents’ lives especially if it was done after the hours of 7pm at night when people may be going to bed to sleep.”

She added: “I understand the need for the development but think that is reasonable to give permission from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and not at weekends.”

She added that noise pollution from the site would be detrimental to the wellbeing of residents too.

A noise assessment sent to Tendring Council, carried out by Carin Cross Civil Engineering, said: “Construction noise levels can be mitigated through careful phasing of the works as well as controlling the operation time and duration of each activity.”

However, it found noise caused by machinery in the maintenance workshop could have a significant impact for nearby residents if the work was carried out between 7pm and 7am.

Mitigating measures were recommended in the assessment to be taken before plans are approved. Tendring Council will have the final say.