The company, which is responsible for railway track, has finally bowed to pressure from MPs and imposed new rules on drivers.

They have been told that they should no longer sound their train horns as a matter of routine between 11pm and 7am when approaching the nation's 2,800 footpath crossings.

Their change of heart follows a prolonged campaign by MPs, deluged by constituents whose lives were made a misery by the train horns.

Many complained that they could no longer use their gardens and that they had been prescribed sleeping tablets by their doctors.

The difficulties were caused by the demise of the old slam door trains and the switch to new rolling stock equipped with a different horn.

This device was fitted on two types of train, the Electro-star 375 and 377. The horn sounded at 135 decibels and, according to the Noise Abatement Society, could be heard up to three miles away.

Under the old guidelines drivers were instructed to toot the horn whenever they passed a trackside whistleboard, which warned of a potential hazard, such as a level crossing.

The new rules tell drivers that they should sound the horns at night only when absolutely necessary.

There will be further respite for those living by the trackside during the day, thanks to further technological advances. Where trains are fitted with two-tone horns, drivers have been told to use the lower pitch, a less obtrusive option.

The change of heart is a vindication of the campaign which involved more than 70 MPs from all parties who signed a Commons motion demanding action.

They were led by Derek Wyatt, Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, whose constituents were complaining about the noise that started at 5.30am and ended at midnight.

"The rail industry is implementing a sensible arrangement that will hopefully make all the difference for improving the quality of life for people living near the railways," he said.

"This change should give people a greater chance to get a full night's sleep - something many of us take for granted."