Calls for 'full investigation' of Tube train noise

A London Assembly member has called for action after "a clear rise in noise levels" from Tube trains.

The volume can reach more than 100 decibels - equivalent to a nearby helicopter taking off.

Elly Baker, Labour's transport spokesperson on the assembly, said she wanted a full investigation of the issue so the problem can be tackled.

The mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, who is responsible for TfL, said he was "particularly sensitive to the misery this causes those residents affected".

Labour Assembly Members have been pushing TfL on the issue, especially in Brent, Kennington, Islington, Camden, and South Wimbledon, where people are particularly affected, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The transport network has taken steps to combat increasing noise levels, such as a targeted track grinding programme between 2020 and 2022.

This was subsequently replaced by a "data led" approach.

Baker wrote to TfL commissioner Andy Lord in June demanding transparency over the new strategy despite the "frequency and depth of grinding interventions declining sharply".

She said: "Since that change, residents affected have reported a clear rise in noise levels."

Baker added: "Residents deserve answers, and they deserve action."

BBC London reported earlier this month that residents living near a curve in the Northern line tracks in south London were being kept awake by loud rumbling and vibrations severe enough to shake pictures off their walls.

Sam told the BBC that trains going around the bend between South Wimbledon and Morden stations caused near-constant noise, while his neighbour Sabine said her family were woken at 05:00 every morning.

At mayor's question time on Thursday, Sir Sadiq told Baker he recognised the impact noise can have on people travelling on the Underground and residents who live in close proximity.

He said the "principle cause of track noise is around corrugation, and TfL carries out regular grinding of the track to manage this".

He said he had introduced a dedicated rail grinding budget, giving TfL access to £9m in 2025-26.

A TfL spokesperson said minimising noise levels on the Tube and in surrounding areas was "a priority".

As part of the improvement work TfL has removed insulated rail joints which are a source of noise, and improved the condition of the track, the spokesperson added.

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