JERICHO residents and councillors will meet railway managers face-to-face to settle a long-running dispute over noise from trains.

Railway sidings north of Oxford station, across the Oxford Canal from Jericho, are used to stable First Great Western trains overnight and between journeys during the day.

Residents have complained for a number of years about noise from idling engines and drifting diesel fumes.

The Rev Jonathan Beswick, of St Barnabas Church, lives close to the sidings and said trains’ diesel engines were left running for hours.

He said: “It can be at 4am or 5am. It’s loud enough to make the windows rattle in their frames. They just literally shake.”

He added: “The noise is secondary to the fact they have diesel engines burning up fuel. It’s a problem for the environment as the fumes are very unpleasant. Taxi drivers can’t do that and coach drivers can’t do that.”

Jericho & Osney ward city councillor Susanna Pressel, said she had been calling for action to tackle the noise and pollution from trains.

She added: “This has been going on for years and years.”

She said FGW had put up signs in the sidings reminding drivers to switch off engines when possible but the move had not halted residents’ complaints.

FGW spokesman Ellie Banks said: “We’re aware of the noise issues at Oxford sidings and we’re working with Oxford City Council to arrange a meeting with complainants, which will take place some time within the next fortnight.

“Representatives from First Great Western will also meet councillors and a local resident for a site visit on Thursday, November 11, at 9pm.

“We hope these two meetings will help us gain a clearer understanding of residents’ concerns to help us come up with the best way forward.”

Last month, residents living south of the station complained about the amount of pollution and noise a proposed new platform would cause.

The £12.5m development, by Network Rail and Oxfordshire County Council, includes a new bay platform on part of the station’s long-stay car park, off Becket Street,and a new glazed footbridge over Botley Road to the main station building.