Day or night, you won't miss a story with the Liverpool Echo newsletter Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A pensioner and his wife say they are being forced out of their home of 42 years after two 28ft high concrete blocks "sprung up" at the bottom of their garden.

Andy Wells, 67, said that the two "monstrous" towers, which have been built as part of a new rail station, have pushed him toward "breaking point".

Mr Wells and his wife Susan live in Mersey Avenue, Maghull, where Maghull North station is being built.

The towers, which contain lift shafts, form part of a footbridge at the new station.

Mr Wells told the ECHO that the towers "just seemed to appear" at the bottom of his garden last weekend.

He said: "The towers went up very quickly last weekend. They are the same height as our house and the view from our bedroom window has been ruined.

"Imagine trying to sell up with those two things there. Hardly a charming view is it. They are military-style watch towers and look like something out of World War Two.

"I have been told that there are plans to cover the towers in bricks and then paint them black. They will be hideous.

"I think the value of our house has fallen by around 30% so far, and it could lose even more. But the point is that I don't want to move at this stage in my life."

Mr Wells that his home is often illuminated by floodlights as ground crews work through the night on the new station.

He said: "We moved into the house in 1976 a week before we got married in May.

"Obviously there was nothing in the plans then about it!

(Image: Andrew Teebay / Liverpool Echo)

"The floodlights shine straight into our bedroom. They have this new type of heavy digger. Every time it moves, it lets out a ear-piercing sound.

"They are massive machines.

“My wife woke up the other night at around 4am and said: 'I can’t do this anymore. Let’s sell up'."

Mr Wells told the ECHO that his wife has recently received treatment for a tumour and that their lack of sleep had made life even more difficult.

He said: "We have both been suffering from sleep deprivation. Imagine trying to sleep with those diggers on the go.

"Sometimes they work through the night, or they will start up at around 4am. And when they start, you know about it.

"Fortunately, my wife recently got the all-clear from doctors - but we still have to live here.

"I know I will face the rest of my days staring out at those towers. Some of my neighbours have been reduced to tears.

"My wife and I are both at breaking point now."

(Image: Andrew Teebay / Liverpool Echo)

Merseytravel's website says that Maghull North station will feature a staffed office, a pedestrian footbridge with disabled access, toilets, a 150-space car park and passenger-waiting facilities.

The £13m station is expected to open in May.

A Merseytravel spokesperson said: "We are aware of the concerns that have been raised by residents who live in close proximity to the new Maghull North station site.

"Due to the nature of the work that is being carried out in order to construct the new station, the only realistic and safe option is to carry out much of the work during the night when trains are not running.

"We do understand that this is a significant disruption to those residents and, after discussions with Sefton Council, it was agreed during the recent 12-day closure of the line that noisy works would not be undertaken between midnight and 6am.

"Both ourselves and Network Rail have kept in constant dialogue with the residents through a number of engagement channels, including public drop-in events and newsletters.

"We will continue this dialogue throughout the project and we would advise that any immediate concerns can be raised by calling Network Rail’s 24-hour helpline on 03457 11 4141 or for other issues, by emailing comments@merseytravel.gov.uk."