ANGRY residents are to have showdown talks with rail bosses after claims that electrification work on the line near their homes has ‘ruined their street’.

Network Rail has been carrying out work in Moses Gate for the past three years as part of its upgrade of the Manchester to Preston line, dubbed The Great North Rail Project.

But neighbours in nearby streets have repeatedly complained about late-night noise, traffic disruption, and light pollution during the works.

At least a dozen people in Ivanhoe Street claim their houses have suffered structural damage from heavy vibrations caused by piling work.

And residents said they were devastated when trees which screened off the houses from the track and shielded them from noise were ‘ripped up’ last month – reportedly with no warning.

Many have described that as ‘the final straw’ and a residents meeting has been arranged by Yasmin Qureshi MP, and local councillor Jean Gillies to demand answers from Network Rail chiefs.

Marie Johnson will host that meeting at her home in Ivanhoe Street tomorrow and speak on behalf of dozens of disgruntled neighbours.

She said: “We are devastated, absolutely devastated. I have spoken to so many people on this street and they are so unhappy they feel like they don’t want to be here any more because of Network Rail and I feel the same. It’s outrageous.

“We want it back to the way it was. It used to be a lovely street and they have just destroyed it."

Mrs Johnson says the trees used to provide privacy and soundproofing before they were 'ripped out' by Network Rail.

She said: "The trees were the final straw. Trains stop there for a few minutes every day and I can see people peering in. Going towards Bolton they slow down quite considerably.

"It’s like a dumping ground for Network Rail. In the summertime when the trees were full of leaves it was really private. Now it's just a mess."

Mrs Johnson wants Network Rail to plant conifers to restore residents' privacy and a proper barrier instead of the palisade fence which she says will not last any longer than two years.

And like many of her neighbours, Mrs Johnson believes her house has been damaged by the piling work carried out by Network Rail. She says she wants 'compensation for the damage they have caused'.

She said: "One night the vibration woke us all up, it was that bad. The following day there were people in the street, neighbours were asking each other ‘did you feel that last night?’.

"Pictures were falling off the wall and someone had a crack in their window.

“All the cracks that have appeared have only been there for the last two years since they started working on the railway. There’s only one conclusion you can draw from that."

Like many of her neighbours, Mrs Johnson says the value of her home has taken a hit because of the impact of the electrification work.

She said: "What would we get for these now? The work will have knocked off a substantial amount."

Cllr Gillies says she was horrified by what she heard from residents while she was canvassing in the area over the weekend.

She claims to have been told by Network Rail that the trees would not be cut down just days before they were – and that some hosted nesting birds.

She said: “It’s appalling. It’s a big thing, it’s awful for these people. The valuation of their houses has gone down. We are trying to see what we can do

“We need to get an agreement about the new fencing – they have not done what they said they were going to do. They were going to put fencing in that would allow people to see straight through. It’s appalling behaviour and appalling communication.

"Residents have had to put up with the noise of drilling day and night with absolutely no consideration. It’s absolutely disgusting the way they’ve been treated."

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Upgrading the railway between Manchester and Preston will benefit Bolton and the surrounding area with faster, more reliable and more frequent electric trains.

“To keep people informed of the work and the benefits, public information events have been held and residents written to as we install overhead electrical equipment along the route.

“We’re meeting with local residents to further explain why vegetation has been removed and to outline why these Great North Rail Project upgrades are so important.”