Andrew Dismore

Question No: 2018/3235

Andrew Dismore

What does Transport for London claim the life expectancy to be, of the rubber pads and fixings they have been retrofitting to concrete sleepers in an attempt to reduce noise affecting neighbouring homes?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) expects the effectiveness of these of rubber pads to last for at least ten years.

In some instances, TfL is installing these rubber pads on tighter curves than other networks. As a result, TfL continues to monitor the noise levels where they have been installed, in order to assess their condition.

Question No: 2018/3236

Andrew Dismore

What is the average length of time between Transport for London receiving a resident’s complaint of tube noise and remedial action taking place?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) treats all noise complaints on a case-by-case basis, and aims to resolve each complaint as soon as possible.

Where rail joint removal is required, this can be resolved within a few weeks. Where it is determined that, for example, the installation of resilient track fastenings or rail replacement is required, works can take a number of months to be planned, scheduled and delivered. These works also need to be scheduled alongside any safety critical works required, or other improvements which require access to the track.

TfL will continue to do all it possibly can to minimise noise and limit disruption to residents living above or close to the Tube.

Question No: 2018/3237

Andrew Dismore

In how many tube noise complaint cases have Transport for London told residents that there is nothing, or nothing further, to be done to remediate the noise or remaining noise?

Written response from the Mayor

In 2018, Transport for London (TfL) has received 274 noise and vibration complaints, from nearby properties, which relate to the day-to-day running of the Tube network. Of these, TfL has closed 51 cases because there was no solution.

There are many sites across the Underground network where, due to the age of the track infrastructure and current technology, it is not always possible to reduce the noise levels to the standards that residents would like.

TfL will continue to take all reasonable measures to minimise noise and limit disruption to residents living above or close to the Tube.

In areas where noise cannot currently be reduced to the standards desired by residents, TfL continue to work alongside industry and academia to further understand noise and vibration, and to trial new products and solutions.

Question No: 2018/3238

Andrew Dismore

Following on from Question No: 2018/2805, what assessment has been made of the resilient track fixing in Mornington Crescent, where repeat complaints on the Bank Branch between Euston and Camden Town have been logged, owing to an increase in noise again after the resilient fixings were installed?

Written response from the Mayor

At Mornington Crescent, Transport for London (TfL) completed the installation of further resilient track fastenings – and rail joint removal – in October 2018. The resilient track fastenings have significantly reduced noise levels, and the majority of noise complaints have now been closed.

TfL is currently assessing what further options to reduce noise levels are available at this location.

Question No: 2018/3239

Andrew Dismore

Following on from Question No: 2018/2806, if concrete sleepers have not been used to replace wooden ones in deep tunnels, what materials have been used?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London now uses slab track, with resilient track fastenings.

This means there are no sleepers, and there is a concrete ‘slab’ which holds the rail. Resilient track fastenings are utilised, meaning rail noise and vibration is controlled.

Question No: 2018/3240

Andrew Dismore

How many noise complaints relate to the introduction of concrete slab track? When was the first concrete slab track installed? How much of it now has resilient fixings? How many complaints have been made again since the installation of resilient fixings relating to areas where the fixings are installed?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) has not received any noise complaints that relate to the introduction of the new slab track. This was first installed on the LU network in January 2014.

This slab track includes resilient track fastenings as standard, meaning rail noise and vibration is controlled.

Question No: 2018/3241

Andrew Dismore

Please provide numbers of tube noise complaints logged by year, providing a breakdown between those that relate to night tube noise once the trains are outside tunnel and those in tunnel.

Written response from the Mayor

In 2016, Transport for London (TfL) received 375 noise and vibration complaints, from nearby properties, which relate to the day-to-day running of the Tube network. Of these, 61 were the result of airborne noise (which is associated with trains running outside of tunnels), and 314 were the result of groundborne noise (which is associated with trains running inside tunnels). Of these 375 complaints, 313 relate to Night Tube lines.

In 2017, TfL received 314 such complaints. Of these, 32 were the result of airborne noise, and 282 were the result of groundborne noise. Of these 314 complaints, 261 relate to Night Tube lines.

In 2018 (up to 13 November), TfL received 274 such complaints. Of these, 75 were the result of airborne noise, and 199 were the result of groundborne noise. Of these 274 complaints, 235 relate to Night Tube lines.

Question No: 2018/3242

Andrew Dismore

The Finchley Central southbound track has not yet been replaced – do Transport for London have plans to do so? If so, are they a) now monitoring the sound due to southbound trains b) writing up a contract for Balfour Beatty that ensures it is their responsibility to do this without increasing noise? If there isn’t monitoring or ensuring this with the contractor, why not?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) plans to replace the southbound track from West Finchley to Finchley Central in 2020/21. TfL has carried out a number of noise assessments in this area over recent months, and will continue to do so.

While standalone noise and vibration assessments are not part of these contracts, TfL’s contractors deliver in accordance with their track construction standards, using TfL approved materials. This ensures that noise and vibration levels are kept as low as is practicable.

Question No: 2018/3243

Andrew Dismore

Is it correct that the contracts let to Balfour Beatty to replace or repair tube track did not require them to take account of or mitigate the effects of noise on nearby residents once the work is completed ; and if so are such contracts continuing to be let?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) understands the importance of minimising noise levels, and is determined to do more to achieve this.

While standalone noise and vibration assessments are not part of these contracts, TfL’s contractors deliver in accordance with their track construction standards, using TfL approved materials. This ensures that noise and vibration levels are kept as low as is practicable.

Question No: 2018/3244

Andrew Dismore

The resilient track fixings installed at Mornington Crescent appear to be wearing out far faster than Transport for London were led to believe they would. The manufacturer states that the fixings have a lifespan of 10 years but in Germany there have been reports of them only lasting 2 years, and it appears that at Mornington Crescent they have worn out after only 1 year.

Transport for London is not going to have the budget to change the fixings every two years. Therefore will you now instruct them to stop replacing timber sleepers elsewhere on the network with concrete slab tracks? And what further action will you be taking to reduce noise at Mornington Crescent?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) has been installing resilient track fastenings for over two years, and has not observed increasing noise levels. TfL continues to monitor noise levels and has no evidence of the fastenings degrading.

At Mornington Crescent the majority of noise complaints have been closed, following a significant reduction in noise levels. TfL is currently assessing what further options to reduce noise levels are available in this area.