Questions to the Mayor of London – answered at on 26 October 2020.
At the last Transport Plenary there was cross-party agreement that excessive Tube noise is an unacceptable blight and yet like ‘Groundhog Day’ it never seems to end. A recent letter from Andy Lord suggested that TfL could not prioritise dealing with Tube noise. Do you recognise that TfL has a duty of care to deal with excessive Tube noise and that its importance must not be diminished or downgraded?
Tube noise remains a priority for me and my Deputy Mayor for Transport – who has attended (and indeed convened) a number of meetings on this topic over recent months. I know Transport for London (TfL) recognise the impact Tube noise can have and understand the importance of minimising noise levels for local residents, customers and Tube staff. TfL continues to work hard to achieve this.
TfL continues to monitor noise levels across the Tube network and carries out practical action to addressresidents’ concerns where feasible. TfL invests significantlyin London Underground track renewal and maintenance. This includes a continuous program of rail grinding and track modernisation, as well as a dedicated budget for developing rail noise technology.
Since November 2016, TfL has carried out works in the proximity of hundreds of properties affected by noise, installing thousands of new track fastenings and hundreds of meters of new track, grinding rails, and removing rail joints where they are no longer necessary.
TfL also continues to explore other potential solutions. This includes an alternative rail fastening called Delkor 167 on the Jubilee line, which could reduce in-carriage noise. TfLexpects to have further information on the impact of this product on residential and in-carriage noise levels by spring 2021.
The coronavirus outbreak has had a dramatic impact on TfL’s finances, as a result of the significant reduction in passenger numbers and associated revenue. TfL has had to take a series of very difficult decisions regarding the prioritisation of its investment, focusing on safety and operationally critical work. While this does limit TfL’s ability to commit to long-term and expensive interventions,I can assure you that TfL remains committed to continuing to address Tube noise issues where it is possible to do so.