The launch of the night tube has seen a surge in complaints about noise.
Today, the London Assembly agreed a unanimous motion to encourage TfL to take noise complaints more seriously, introduce a proper compensation scheme for those affected and adopt internationally recognised noise thresholds.
Jennette Arnold OBE AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“Tube noise is a blight on the lives of a number of our constituents and we need the Mayor to take tougher action.
We now need TfL to start considering other measures to tackle this nuisance, such as slowing down trains and installing sound barriers.
We also need to see them communicating more effectively with those distressed by high noise levels and properly compensating those most badly affected.”
The full text of the Motion is:
“This Assembly urges the Mayor to take a tougher line on tube noise with Transport for London.
Assembly Members regularly receive complaints from residents who face all sorts of problems associated with tube noise, from loud PA announcements, vibration and noise. This has become markedly worse since the launch of the night tube, with some Londoners unable to sleep for 2 nights of every week. This Assembly considers that in many instances TfL’s responses have been slow, with some complainants seemingly lost in the system, with lengthy delays in responding, and in some cases, little by way of remediation. The Assembly notes that whilst rail grinding and the installation of shock absorbers have been met with success in some places, they have not been universally successful.
This Assembly recommends that TfL must consider other measures to reduce tube noise, such as slowing trains where appropriate and erecting sound barriers.
In addition, TfL should also dedicate more staff towards liaising with the public, some of whom are greatly distressed by very high noise levels.
This Assembly asks that TfL introduce a proper compensation scheme for those affected and in exceptional circumstances TfL must take responsibility for those severely affected.
Finally, TfL should adopt internationally recognised noise thresholds – no Londoner should be asked to live with noise above 40dB.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously
- Jennette Arnold OBE AM is available for interview – see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.