'Dangerous levels' of noise on some Tube lines

Londoners on three major Tube lines are experiencing "dangerous levels" of noise while on the Underground network, a London Assembly member has said.

Labour's transport spokeswoman, Elly Baker, who requested the data from the Mayor's Office and Transport for London, (TfL) also said the noise levels raised "serious questions about the conditions passengers are travelling in".

Victoria, Northern and Jubilee lines passengers also face levels of more than 100 decibels (dB) - louder than a nearby chainsaw or power tool. The data also showed the network had 707 noise complaints over the past three years.

TfL said minimising noise levels is a "priority" and it is taking action to reduce rail-grinding.

Exposure to such sound intensity can cause hearing damage, as well as disturbing residents above ground.

The majority of the complaints, more than 600, related to noise experienced inside Tube carriages and about 70 were about noise at stations.

Sound exposure is measured in carriages by calculating the average noise level over a specific period of time on each line.

Commuters on the Northern line faced up to 104dB in the worst periods, with travellers on the Victoria and Jubilee lines experiencing 102dB.

Those on the Hammersmith and City line fared best, with a maximum average noise level of 81dB, comparable to a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner.

The District, Circle, Met and Hammersmith and City lines are part of the sub-surface railway.

This means they operate just below street level in "cut and cover" style tunnels, and on the surface like a regular railway.

Baker added that passengers "should not have to put up with excessive noise".

She added: "Despite years of complaints, there is still a lack of clear information about why some parts of the network are particularly noisy and what steps are being taken to address the problem.

"TfL needs to be transparent with passengers about the causes of this excessive noise and publish a clear plan to reduce it."

There are currently no statutory limits for passenger exposure to noise while travelling.

In a written answer to the London Assembly about the causes of the noise, London's mayor Lord Khan said: "There are a range of factors that contribute to noise levels inside London Underground carriages.

"These include the track curvature, the speed of the train, whether automatic train operation is in place, the spacing and condition of the sleepers, and the overall track form."

In July, the mayor said the main cause of track noise was "rail corrugation" and that he had set aside £9m for "rail grinding" work to help mitigate this.

He also noted that TfL have started trialling "resilient base plates as part of their track renewal programme which can help reduce vibration" as well as varying train speed "on curves prone to specific types of corrugation."

A TfL spokesperson said: "As part of our work to improve noise and vibration issues, we have removed insulated rail joints, which removes a source of noise, and improved the condition of the track.

"We also continue to invest significantly in track renewal and maintenance, including a continuous programme of rail grinding and track modernisation.

"We have undertaken a significant amount of noise and vibration-related rail grinding in recent months and will continue to carry out other targeted interventions to reduce noise, including the removal of redundant rail joints, the maintenance of points and crossings, and re-ballasting track."

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