Tube noise written answers

Tube Noise [1]

Question No: 2020/4434

Andrew Dismore

Residents in Fitzrovia are receiving contradictory responses from TfL regarding corrugation on the rails on the Victoria Line around Warren Street. They wrote to me just a few weeks ago to say that they would not be carrying out grinding in the area in the October / November grinding round, because there was no significant corrugation. Now they have just sent an email to a resident stating that: “The engineers have checked the ATMS, and believe that the increase [in noise] is caused by short patches of corrugation which are developing again as a result of the effects of the previous grinding wearing off. My understanding is that the next round of grinding on the Victoria line is Spring 2021. I’ve asked if this could be brought forward, but sadly this isn’t feasible due to the limited capacity within the grinding programme.”

What was the wisdom of the decision not to grind the rails here recently, and how does this fit with commitments previously made to tackle to problem? Will you ensure this area is prioritised for grinding, should slots become available?

Answer for Tube Noise [1]

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Tube Noise [1]

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

Before deploying a rail grinding machine on a particular line, TfL reviews rail corrugation levels across the line to determine the areas in which rail grinding will have the greatest benefit. This includes an assessment of where rail grinding is required for operational reasons, and separately in terms of noise and vibration. Rail grinding reduces rail roughness, and is expected to have greater benefit in areas where rail roughness levels are relatively high.

Although there are some small sections of rail corrugation starting to develop, overall rail roughness in the Fitzrovia area is still relatively low, and rail grinding would likely result in only a minimal reduction in noise and vibration at this stage. TfL will continue to keep this area under review for future interventions, with further rail grinding planned on the Victoria line from spring 2021.

It is important that residents get in touch with the TfL Contact Centre if there are any issues, as this allows TfL to determine any noise ‘hotspots’. Key sites are reviewed on a monthly basis by senior responsible managers.

Tube Noise [2]

Question No: 2020/4435

Andrew Dismore

Residents living between Kentish Town and Tufnell Park report a major increase in tube noise recently. What is the cause and what is the proposed remedy?

Answer for Tube Noise [2]

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Tube Noise [2]

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

Transport for London (TfL) is in the process of arranging residential noise measurements in this area, which will enable it to determine the cause of any noise disturbance – and any potential solution. Residential noise measurements are currently on hold due to London moving into Tier 3 of the Government’s coronavirus restrictions.

Rail grinding will be carried out on the Northern line in spring 2021, and is expected to include this section of track.

It is important that residents get in touch with the TfL Contact Centre if there are any issues, as this allows TfL to determine any noise ‘hotspots’. Key sites are reviewed on a monthly basis by senior responsible managers

Tube Noise [3]

Question No: 2020/4436

Andrew Dismore

Residents of Fitzrovia were told that noise from the Victoria Line around Warren Street was not caused by the conditions of the tracks, and so Warren Street was not included in the list of track areas to be ground. It now transpires that there has been corrugation on the rail there, but it will be months before there can be grinding, due to lack of availability of the machine. This is clearly not adequate management of the track or the continuing tube noise issue. Can the grinding of the rails here please be prioritised?

Answer for Tube Noise [3]

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Tube Noise [3]

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/4434.

FacebookTwitterLinkedInShare