LORRY traffic at a Thornbury transport firm is still causing sleepless nights for neighbouring residents.

Householders in Tweed Close are accusing logistics firm Gist of failing to take steps to reduce night time noise at its depot in nearby Short Way on the town's industrial estate.

In March this year the firm, which handles deliveries to Mark and Spencer food stores, was given the go-ahead for a new traffic system and lorry park on condition it investigated ways of reducing noise.

Councillors said they were powerless to restrict the firm's operating hours.

But they ordered it to submit a report assessing noise levels from vehicle movements, reversing bleepers and refrigeration units with a view to erecting an acoustic fence as part of a landscaping scheme in Midland Way.

However, residents say nothing has been done and they are still losing sleep because of the din through the night.

"We feel badly let down," said residents' spokesman Nick Turland. "They have now constructed the road to the end of a warehouse at the closest point to our properties.

"The drivers leave their engines running while they're loading and the racket goes on through the night.

"There is talk of some sort of acoustic barrier being built but it's been months since the planning meeting and as far as we can see nothing has been done.

"Our point is that noise reduction should have been in place before the scheme went ahead."

The noise had been particularly bad in the run up to Christmas when the firm was at full stretch with store deliveries, he said.

"We are constantly being woken during the night and we're sick of it. The noise is continuous, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it's seriously affecting our quality of life.

"Recently it's been worse than ever and it's not just Tweed Close that is being affected."

Mr Turland said South Gloucestershire Council environmental health officials had been sympathetic and helpful.

"They have visited the company on numerous occasions but their hands are tied because of the planning consent.

"We feel the company is turning a blind eye to what we're having to put up with."