Stirling Council officers are now taking further action to implement the instruction from the council that there is to be further engagement with and enforcement action against Network Rail and freight operators who use the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine (SAK) railway line. The council instructed this action in response to long-running concerns about disruption raised by local residents.

The notice which will be served relates to the noise and vibration caused particularly by freight trains using it during night time hours.

Environment Convenor, councillor Danny Gibson, said: “This has been an ongoing saga for residents living alongside the line and though the serving of this notice is not necessarily the end of the matter I hope it will be a sign of how seriously the Council takes their concerns and how determined we are to see this matter resolved in their favour.” At a recent meeting, the council were advised of the findings of environmental consultants commissioned by the Council to look into noise and vibration issues around the railway line.

The consultants concluded that the night time operation of freight trains on the SAK line constituted noise and vibration nuisance for those living nearby.

Councillor Gibson said: “The process now is that we ensure the abatement notice is served as soon as possible.

“This may be subject to challenge, but we will face that if and when that arises.

“As far as I am concerned we have responded to residents’ concerns by undertaking appropriate testing, and we now have proof that there are definite nuisance issues associated with this line.

“On behalf of our residents we will strive to see that situation resolved.”