RESIDENTS in Bournemouth endured two sleepless nights thanks to roadworks going on past midnight outside their homes.

People living in Holdenhurst Road, close to the Esso garage, say they received little warning about the works on Wednesday and Thursday nights last week, except for a sign on a lamp post saying they would happen only on the Wednesday until 11.30pm.

The council has apologised for not contacting residents directly as it normally would.

One, Debbie Powell, mum of five-month-old Eleanor, who lives with teacher husband Rick, said she e-mailed the council and was told that others had complained too.

Sales assistant Debbie, 26, added: “I have a five-month-old baby who every time I have tried to put down to sleep screamed due to the vibration and noise.

“Given that the gas and electric company are allowed to dig up Holdenhurst Road almost constantly and work during the day, I do not understand why this work could not be undertaken during the day.

“I highly doubt that the council would have resurfaced Exeter Road outside a hotel at night, for fear of upsetting tourists.

“Why is it then that residents of Bournemouth are expected to put up with such inconsiderate treatment? I would also assume that the men working until past midnight were given overtime or enhanced pay for the unsociable hours. I hardly think that this is good use of council money.”

Ian Kalra, transportation services manager at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “Information boards were erected in advance regarding the resurfacing works due to take place on the two evenings from May 2. However, in this instance we did not contact residents directly as we would normally with evening work, and for this we apologise.

“The following day the site engineer personally visited residents in the roads that would be mostly affected to advise of the continuation of the works over the second evening. The works have now been completed.”