A MAJOR £46million upgrade to railway lines could cause residents in Rayleigh a year of sleepless nights, it is feared.

Letters were sent out to residents in Station Road warning them work will be taking place until June 2019.

A letter from Network Rail to residents stated: “Network Rail is required to undertake essential improvement works near your property as part of the Great Eastern overhead line renewals project.

“The next phase of work will require continuous access to the track during midweek nights and at weekends at our Rayleigh compound until June 2019.”

The works are taking place as part of a massive upgrade to the Southend Victoria line.

Amy Webster, 34, of The Approach, lives directly behind the station has been commuting to London for 15 years.

She said: “They are saying sorry for the work but obviously they are still doing it.

“I realise we live near to the station but that is so we are near to the train, people would not expect to live next to a road and have continuous roadworks for a year.

“We pay around £5,000 a year to use these trains and it is difficult enough getting into London for work or on the weekends, we shouldn’t have to live with constant noise and sleepless nights as well.”

Richard Lambourne, chairman of Rayleigh Action Group, was confused as to why the works are taking place now.

He said: “Everybody wants the line to be upgraded but nobody expected the control depot to be based in Rayleigh. We have had months and months of replacement buses and works being done for Crossrail, so why was this not done at the same time?

“We are now going to have residents unable to sleep due to the works and that is unacceptable.”

Network Rail state the plans will help to bring new trains and more reliable services to the line.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We have combined weekend work with weeknight working to speed up the programme. We thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this vital work. This noise will not be every night because the work will move along the line, and firm dates will be sent to those affected nearer the time.

“Anyone with concerns can contact us on 03457 114141.”