THERE are "serious issues" to be resolved over plans to build an all-night train washing depot yards from York homes, according to a council chief.

Coun Andrew Waller, the deputy leader of City of York Council, said he understood the concerns of the group of residents who are opposing plans to build a train care centre near Leeman Road.

The centre would be only yards from their homes and would operate between 8pm and 5am seven days a week.

Coun Waller attended a meeting on Sunday and listened to the concerns of locals from St James Court and Victoria Court, near Leeman Road, who are opposed to the plans by Siemens Transportation Systems.

The Evening Press has already reported how Siemens plans to build the centre with works, access and car park on railway sidings at the former York Depot Refuelling Facility, off Leeman Road.

The depot will help the company care for and refuel First Group's existing and new £250 million train fleet, creating up to 40 new jobs.

On Monday, the Evening Press reported that residents were angry because the continual clanking of the trains coming in and out throughout the night will mean they would not be able to leave their windows open at night.

Coun Waller said he went to the local meeting as two of the three local councillors were unable to attend and the third serves on the planning committee.

He said: "Having listened to the residents, I can see there are a lot of serious issues to be resolved because the noise problems would occur in the dead of night with trains sitting with their engines idling as well as clanking in and out."

Coun Waller said more needed to be done to ensure the area could be as sound proof as possible, including building up existing walls to act as buffers.

Civil engineer Elaine Shrewsbury, aged 33, who lives in St James Court and helped organise the meeting, said about 45 people attended and put their names to a petition which they intended to send to the council.

Deborah Risby, head of communications for Siemens said they wanted to be good neighbours and would continue to work with the council.

Objectors have until November 25 to send written objections to the council.

Updated: 10:35 Wednesday, November 17, 2004