The construction of Hove station's new depot keeps residents awake all night (The Argus, May 6).

This does not convey the full horror suffered for almost two years from private rail contractors by residents in Wilbury Avenue with homes backing on to the railway near Hove station, beginning with new electrical installations and cables to operate new, power-hungry, sliding door, air conditioned trains.

I spent May bank holiday Sunday with a friend overlooking Hove station. The noise went on all day and the next day we could hardly hear each other speak.

You reported a council spokeswoman saying the work does not require planning permission. On the residential side of the council railway footbridge there will be an area for storage, accommodation, waste compactor and water pumping station which could easily be sited on the industrial side of the footbridge to reduce residential environmental noise nuisance from future night train cleaning operations.

Would the city council have been so disinterested if the Strategic Rail Authority cancelled the Brighton station project and instead relocated Brighton station to allow a direct connection between West and East coast main lines between Southampton and Ashford International?

-John Stanaway, Hove