[doganjo]

While you're all at it, can you start up the 'stop the night time trains' fund and placards, please.  That meeting last night did nothing but allow some people to vent their feelings, and even they were daunted by the chairman who would have been at home as the head teacher in Borstal!  No results really except that someone mentioned human rights.  Is it a basic human right to have a decent night's sleep?  Could it be upheld in the court of Human Rights?

[The Relic]

is there not some kinda noise police (i know they have them in belfast they call to parties at student house's) they come out with a sound level meter and measure the decibel levels. if you dont comply and turn down the music or stop whatever noise ur making they wack you with a fine.

[sellickbhoy]

councils have enviroment officers - but i think they are to deal with noisey neighbours.

but i guess it would be a good starting point

[doganjo]

Transport Scotland were laughed out of their report last night - they surveyed along the line and took noise samples at 11 houses - there must be around 1200 houses along the route, and out of that 2 houses were found to have unacceptable noise levels.  My house is closer than either and they haven't been near mine.  On the night the sampling was done there were three trains instead of the usual 7.  Hmmmm.............................

[The Relic]

enviroment officers there the guys i was thinking of. harrasment i feel is the only way forward from here. everytime a train goes by and your woken phone the police scourge them to get an enviroment officer out to take a sample. do this for a couple of weeks and keep records (who you talked to, times, actions taken)during the day ring the train/rail company as to speak to someone high up again take records. when nothing happenes tell the train/rail company that there is going to be an obstruction (you) on the line and see if you can get some others to do the same (one person a night for as long as you can). you dont actually have to stand on the tracks but just hover about they will have to slow the trains down possibly stop them. be prepared for being arrested for tresspassing tho and probably a few other charges. after a few of you are arrested get the media involved... story "willing to go to prison for a good nights sleep" or something like that.

[jameslindsay]

Isn't it sad that we have to go to such extreme measures to get something as simple as a nights sleep. Relic we don't have tresspass laws in Scotland but I'm sure the authorities would get them on something else. Sounds a good plan though Annie, even if it's so extreme. Are any of the local MP's on your side? With things as they are just now any MP must be craving some good publicity with helping their constituents so hassle them too. Press coverage will be very important I would imagine. Is there an organised group of opponents, it is better to have an organised bunch rather than lots of individuals all off doing their own thing. If a thing is structured and organised then it should stand a better chance.

Any of the chiefs guys that are in support of the trains continuing could you not organise something to make the same level of noise outside their home at the same time of night as the train would pass, again you would probably be arrested but desperate measures require desperate actions? You need Public Awareness!!!!

[doganjo]

Check out the Alloa Advertiser website boys - I was interview a couple of weeks ago.  We have 2 MSPs and an MP onboard.http://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/alloa/articles/2009/04/29/38891-night-trains-are-making-our-lives-hell/

Re

we don't have trespass laws in Scotland

Network Rail do actually have the right of trespass on lines - and can fine anyone going on a line or allowing an animal to go on the line.  The field across the lane from me is not securely fenced - post and 5 strand wire only, because it is classed as agricultural land at the moment (owned by a housing company) - so dogs can get through.  A neighbour's dog escaped from his elderly master on there a couple of days ago, but fortunately no trains about at the time.  The safety along the route is another concern.
I think we have to trust that Gordon Banks MP will do as he has said he will and get the offending companies to the table.  Up to the present the moment DB Schenker and Network Rail have refused to attend any meetings.  They seem to think they are working within the law, although I am now thinking that the original Bill to put the line in place was flawed due to lack of/mis- information to the Scottish Government during the consultation process.  We do not want compensation, we want the trains stopped from 11pm to 6 am - but being a German company I'm not sure Schenker are interested in the little people of Scotland.
I have found numerous regular emails to one person to be effective in the past, and I intend to try that with the Schenker boss - Stuart Boner.  Wish us luck, we are fighting big brutes of companies.  We need people power to win through.

[The Relic]

i remember seeing a thing on the news ages ago about trains going past at all hours close to a residental area. was this yous?

[sandy]

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I think GB is at the power station today!!!!don't tell anyone!!!

[doganjo]

Sandy, you should know me better than to ask me to keep a secret like that!

[sandy]

Now where's the Mole smiley?

[doganjo]

Yes, I want a mole smiley too!  Clackmannan has it's own mole!

[sandy]

Apparently GB has not urned up!!! and blimey I am hot!!!

[doganjo]

He hasn't turned up?  Oh fiddle - after me telling the whole County he's a star!

[TonytheWood]

In the same way that  have been ripping Tax payers off for years, polluting the countryside, harassing Ramblers and ploughing up Rights of way, grubbing up miles of ancient hedges, turning vast areas into deserts to produce highly subsidised grain mountains. Spreading Bovine TB and Foot and Mouth, and then expecting the Tax payer to pick up the Tab to compensate for dead animals. Pay insurance like the rest of us!