Dismore challenges Mayor over all night tube noise
Yesterday I questioned Mayor Boris Johnson over the impact of the weekend all night tube service on local residents, during Mayor’s Question Time.
I asked the Mayor why there was no consultation with residents whose homes back on to overground sections of the tube like on long stretches of the Northern Line. I referred to comments from Julie who lives near Colindale station:
‘I am a resident in Colindale who lives in near proximity to Colindale underground station. I, along with other residents, have been advised that the Night Tube will be operating from this September every weekend. As the residents were never consulted about this by either TFL or the council we are very concerned as to the noise nuisance.
The noise currently emanating from the tubes rattling on the tracks is already a considerable nuisance and were it not for the fact that they stop around 1am most of us would have sleepless nights. The thought of them running all night every weekend is frankly appalling.’
After the Mayor was unable to say why there had been no consultation, I then asked him:
‘You first announced the weekend night tube years ago. So why haven’t remedial measures to mitigate noise nuisance been done before the night tube begins? I understand that for the Northern Line in Colindale for example, track improvements won’t happen until January?’
Again, the Mayor was unable to give a sensible answer, but thanked me for bringing the issue to his attention.
It is scandalous that with only 2 months to go to the scheduled start of the Northern Line all- night weekend tube service, the interest of residents whose lives will be affected have been ignored by the Mayor and TfL.
While the night tube is a welcome addition to the service , this cannot be at the expense of people who live near to overground sections of the track and who are likely to suffer noise and disturbance throughout the night as result. The Mayor and TfL should have thought about this already and taken action to mitigate the effects before the new timetable by now and not months later.
The Mayor must urgently address residents’ concerns now.
