A LOCAL authority has apologised to and compensated people whose lives were turned upside down by roadworks last year.

Night working forced many people living near a York ring road roundabout to endure sleepless nights and weeks of disruption, as contractors battled to finish work in time for the Tour de France.

Now the Local Government Ombudsman has ruled that City of York council caused injustice to people living near the site, by not consulting or warning them before the diggers started working through the night.

Steph Baron was one of two nearby residents to take her case to the ombudsman out of frustration at the council's response to her complaints, and they have each been awarded £100.

She said: "The council kept kind-of apologising, but saying the work had to go on.

"I am delighted with this outcome. I've had an apology which is what I wanted."

Mrs Baron said she and her neighbours often had no warning that night working was about to start, and although the city council offered several hotel accommodation it was impractical for people with families, pets, and businesses at their homes.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy welcomed the ruling as a long overdue "victory for common sense" and added: "I have written again to the transport chiefs at the council asking them to extend the apology and compensation to all affected residents, not just those who have taken the issue to the ombudsman.