Residents living near a ballast dump in Hinksey Sidings, Oxford, are continuing to suffer.

City councillors were told on December 9 that noise and light from the operation was still upsetting residents in the Abingdon Road area.

Railtrack developed the ballast dump four years ago.

The council was unable to object because the company had permitted development rights on railway land and did not need planning permission.

Labour city councillor Rick Muir, who represents Hinksey Park ward, said: "The noise from the operation of the site has become a persistent nuisance to residents.

"It lasts throughout the day and at weekends.

"Residents' houses are also lit up from the rear at night.

"The visual impact on the natural environment from the stockpiling has been appalling, and there remain concerns about the ecological impact on the water table."

John Goddard, leader of the council's Liberal Democrat group, agreed.

He said the council should lobby the Government while new planning legislation was being drawn up, to try to make sure public utilities were not excluded from planning law.

The council agreed to express its opposition to the continuation of the ballast operation and to write to Network Rail, formerly Railtrack.