Sleepless nights could await for people living near Welwyn Garden City rail station.

For railway works will take place in the early hours of Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The improvements were said by Network Rail chiefs to be vital to “provide a safe, reliable and efficient railway fit for the 21st century”.

The work will involve the installation of 12 piles, which will form the foundations of new overhead lines and electrification masts near to Burrowfield Industrial Estate.

A letter signed by Network Rail’s community relations manager, Denise Thompson, warned residents of the works, which will take place between midnight and 2am on Saturday, from 2am on Sunday and will finish at 6am on Monday.

In the letter Ms Thompson said disturbance was “unavoidable”, but she pledged to “make every effort to minimise any unnecessary noise”.

A Network Rail spokeswoman told the WHT: “We will be carrying out the work at night as this causes the least disruption to trains and we will make every effort to minimise any unnecessary noise.

“The work we are doing is part of a wider power supply upgrade and will enable new trains to run on this line, meaning better and more reliable services for passengers.”