Andrew Dismore

Tube Noise Complaints in London

Question No: 2017/2458

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2017/0559

Can you please give the numbers of tube noise complaints TfL have received for the past 5 years – 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 – and their location on the tube map?

your response being:

“TfL has a process in place to respond quickly and comprehensively to noise complaints. Since the successful launch of Night Tube, TfL has been providing customers with a named contact via a dedicated phone number, with ready access to experts that are working to tackle the root cause of noise. This involves visits to residents’ homes to measure noise levels both before and after any work is undertaken.

TfL logs complaints about noise from the Tube in three main categories:

1) Train movements

2) Stations and other installations, such as noise from PA systems and ventilation shafts

3) Maintenance and engineering work conducted overnight and at weekends

Better data capture over the years has enabled TfL to measure these complaints more accurately.

The overall number of noise complaints across all categories for the past five years is provided below. A detailed breakdown is attached showing Tube line and station name, where this information was provided in the complaint.

The relatively high number of complaints at East Finchley station in 2016 relates to the significant track renewal and maintenance work on the track between this station and Finchley Central station that year. I understand that TfL has met with you to discuss noise issues at this location and that work it is doing to resolve this.

TfL takes noise complaints very seriously and has a robust engineering-led procedure to prioritise mitigation work as quickly as possible. Anyone disturbed by the Night Tube or everyday Tube services can contact TfL’s 24/7 Customer Service Centre on 0343 222 1234 or www.tfl.gov.uk/contact. Everyone is guaranteed a personal response and an effective, speedy investigation of their issue.

TfL believes that the announcements and publicity prior to the Night Tube service that started in 2014/15 may have caused an increase in complaints from that year from people who were concerned about the potential for disturbance once the service actually commenced.

Noise complaints by year:

Year

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Total Complaints

322

376

473

700

963

 

Please note, these figures are not all unique complaints as some originate from the same person and relate to the same issue.”

1. a) As TfL are refusing to do anything to resolve the noise issue at East Finchley, do you wish to amend your answer;

and

1. b) will you provide details of where the complaints are on the tube map as previously requested?

 

Written response from the Mayor

In response to your first question, please see MQ2017/2481.

 

Transport for London is currently creating the map you have requested and I have asked they send it to you as soon as it is ready.

 

 

 

Complaints about the renumbered 13 bus (formerly 82)

Question No: 2017/2474

Andrew Dismore

I have received a lot of complaints about the renumbered 13 bus service, including:

(1) Buses not running to schedule with waits of 14 minutes at rush hour

(2) multiple 13 buses arriving together in convoys of 3 and 4

(3)  Multiple stops at bus stops for 1-2 minutes without the driver using the tannoy to inform passengers if the bus service was being regulated or not

(4) Victoria destination buses terminating at Hyde Park Corner

(5) Northbound from Hyde Park Corner, an empty 13 bus stopped at bus stop and  the driver got out to use his mobile phone and smoke for 10 minutes. Another 13 bus (packed) turned up and was only going to Golders Green and not North Finchley

(6) Around 1 in 3 buses terminate at Church End Finchley rather than going on to North Finchley

(7) Overcrowding on route 13 buses due to the merged routes

What is your opinion of these complaints; do they not support the considerable public objections to the termination of the original route 13; and what can be done to sort out this service?

Written response from the Mayor

The changes to routes 13, 113, 139 and 189 (and their respective night routes) and the withdrawal of route 82 were introduced on 1 April 2017. Since then, performance of routes 113, 139 and 189 has been good with the routes meeting their performance targets.

 

While there is sufficient capacity on route 13 when running reliably, Transport for London (TfL) has identified some performance issues on the route over the past few months, with the route not meeting its reliability targets and a number of buses not running the full length of the route. In response, TfL and the operator are working closely to develop a reliability scheme as quickly as possible. They plan to introduce this scheme in late summer 2017.

 

 

 

East Finchley tube noise

Question No: 2017/2481

Andrew Dismore

After a site visit with residents, at long last TfL have established the cause of the high pitched tube rail noise that is disturbing residents, after grinding took place last year. They say that on the left hand rail which is the high-rail (there’s a slight curve) there is some very short-wavelength corrugation over a distance of 50m. TfL believes that this corrugation is the source of the tonal noise that residents experience. However, TfL now refuses to do anything whatsoever about it, including refusing the suggested noise baffling fence as mitigation. Will you look at this again and see what can be done to alleviate the nuisance the trains are causing, including at night with the night tube?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) has advised that in the area approaching the tunnel mouth, the levels of noise measured have settled following the grinding of the rails last year. As a result, further work at this location is not currently planned. At this location the track is in a generally good condition and the last recorded noise level was 32 decibels, a reduction of seven decibels from when this issue was first reported to us.

 

Although I recognise that noise at any level can be disturbing to individuals, TfL must prioritise mitigation work based on noise levels recorded, the information they already have about track condition in the area, and the number of complaints at a given location.

 

 

 

Electric vehicle charging points

Question No: 2017/2483

Andrew Dismore

What will you do to encourage a significant increase in the  siting of electric vehicle charging points; and in residential roads where there are no points, what is your view of  residents charging  from their homes to the street with safety cable?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) has developed a charging infrastructure location guidance document for London, which summarises a suite of evidence-based research commissioned by TfL and sets out projected future electric vehicle demand in London. This will help boroughs and the private sector identify where and how much charging infrastructure is needed for different categories of electric vehicle fleets and in different areas of London.

 

TfL is working with the London boroughs to locate additional sites for TfL’s Rapid Charging Infrastructure Network project. TfL is on track to deliver this rapid charging infrastructure for taxi, private hire and commercial vehicle fleets, with 75 rapid charge points expected to be installed by the end of 2017.

 

London secured funding from Government to deliver its Go Ultra Low City Scheme.  This includes plans to increase the provision of on-street residential charging infrastructure in London, specifically for those residents without access to off-street parking.

 

The usage of charging cables between residents’ homes and their vehicles may not be advisable as the cable represents a trip hazard. However, each London borough may want to provide advice to their residents based on their own legal advice.

 

 

 

Tube station closures

Question No: 2017/2487

Andrew Dismore

How often in the last 12 months were each of the tube stations in Barnet and Camden closed due to staff shortages?

Written response from the Mayor

From May 2016 until May 2017 there have been 38 closures of stations in Barnet and   Camden due to non-availability of staff. The closures were at Kings Cross (5), Brent Cross (1), Chancery Lane (4), Euston (1), Euston Square (5), Kentish Town (4), Russell Square (5), Goodge Street (11), Holborn (1) and Warren Street (1).

 

Since I became the Mayor of London last year I have been clear with Transport for London (TfL) that more needs to be done to reduce the number of station closures. Last year I asked London TravelWatch to carry out a review into the impact of ticket office closures at Tube stations. Since then, TfL has been working with the Trade Unions to increase the number of staff available to support customers, including by introducing an additional 325 staff to stations. Once in post, these additional station staff will be able to offer improved customer service for passengers and reduce the number of station closures resulting from staff non-availability.