AN Abercarn family rocked by construction work on the railway line behind their house say they were never informed of the plans by Network Rail.

The Lessimores - pregnant mum Francesca, her husband Ben, and their four-year-old daughter Chiara - have lived at their home at Coed Celynen Drive since 2009.

Two trains currently run per hour run on the line which passes the back of their home - but plans to increase the frequency means they now fear their home will not be suitable for raising their two children.

The Ebbw Vale Frequency Enhancement Scheme, a £40m project funded by the Welsh Government, will see a new track laid to enable a more frequent service on the Ebbw Vale line.

Since April, at night and during weekends, rubble and gravel has been carried by freight trains on the track ahead of construction work beginning next month.

Multiple generators have been set up behind the Lessimore’s garden, along with flood lights, to allow workers to carry this work out in an attempt to cause minimum disruption to rail services.

The couple's daughter, Chiara, who is attending nursery, goes to bed at 7pm. Such has been the noise of the work at this early stage, which Mrs Lessimore has likened to an “avalanche”, her sleeping pattern has been disrupted.

Mrs Lessimore, 35, who is due to give birth again in August, said: “I appreciate it’s difficult for the workers but there’s been no compensation.

“We weren’t consulted or told about it and it was going to happen, regardless. It’s disgusting.

"We only found out about the plans through other friends in the area.

“The flood lights are so high up and we have to open wardrobe doors to try and block them out.

“The whole house shakes when trains go by and we can’t get used to it at night. It sounds like an avalanche.”

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: “We were made aware that some of our neighbours living in Coed Celynen Drive did not receive a letter regarding the Ebbw Vale Frequency Enhancement scheme and another letter was sent in April.

“We would obviously like to apologise for this error, which was in no way intentional and make sure that the resident is informed about the work.

“Safety is our number one priority and for this reason a large amount of this work must be carried out while trains are not running.

“We use a range of measures to ensure this, including requiring our employees and contractors to behave considerately towards people who live and work near the railway; positioning lighting and generators away from homes; and using quiet equipment where possible.”