Unfortunately in their latest communication, TFL now reckons that there is actually nothing wrong with the rail joints causing the noise issue, which they claim are the newest, most modern type of joints that they have and as a result, that they must be in very good condition… This is contradicting the engineer report that they’ve received (stating a widening of the contact patch between the joints) and the fact that the noise issue has significantly worsened since last year. They are now saying that since there’s now nothing wrong with the joints, addressing the noise issue will take two to three years when the whole line’s signalling system is due for an upgrade. This position is unacceptable, in blatant contradictions with the facts and particularly depressing to hear in those time of home confinement. Filing more complaints to TFL (see previous posts) to increase pressure and not taking no for an answer is probably the only way forward at this point…
The engineer deployed to investigate the tube noise situation has completed his report, which acknowledges an issue with rail joints, see an extract below:
“Eastbound services presented with a light impulsive character while westbound services presented as a heavy impulsive noise which could be heard echoing around the trench. On the westbound road the trackform is flat-bottom rail on concrete sleepers. There is a train stop at M122/MIRLO 1,112m, there are insulated rail joints (IRJ) on the left hand rail at M122/MIRLO 1,120 and 1,124m. There is a widening of the contact patch on the following rail of both IRJs. On the eastbound road the trackform is flat-bottom rail on concrete sleepers. There are no track features or rail head defects in the noise source area. The lack of rail head defects indicates that the impulsive character from the eastbound roads is the result of multiple short plain line events as each bogie passes thought the open air section.“
On the basis of this report, TFL followed-up saying:
“Most of your noise is caused by a couple of joints on the Hammersmith and City line rails. The joints are connected to the signalling system, so regretfully they can’t be completely removed, but we’ve asked the Track Manager to inspect them to see if anything can be done to improve their condition. I’m afraid this might take some time, as safety-critical track repair work always has to take priority over noise-reducing work, but as soon as I learn whether their condition can indeed be improved, I’ll let you know.
My understanding is that the signalling system is due to be upgraded within the next couple of years. Once that happens, the joints can be taken out, as they’ll no longer be required. However, I acknowledge that this is a lengthy period of time to wait, so hopefully the condition of the joints can be improved in the meantime as an interim measure.”
Whilst it’s good that they acknowledge the issue and contemplate remediation, if the remediation is only coming in the next couple of years this isn’t going to be acceptable. To compel TFL to act quickly and find a quick temporary solution to the issue, we should maintain pressure and complain via https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/contact-us-about-tube-and-rail, or by calling TFL on 0343 222 1234.
See this excerpt from a June 2019 TFL formal response to another noise complaint correspondence with the City of London: “Can TfL confirm the approach taken to prioritising which sections of the track should benefit works when complaints are made? We prioritise based on in-property noise level and the number of complaints (of an appropriate noise level). We introduced this process and decision making to ensure a fair and consistent method of prioritising where best to direct our resources.”
A complaint will trigger a follow-up by TFL by email asking the following questions, to which I propose a template answer:
Full Address and postcode: Do you live in a flat or a house? If in a flat, on which floor? When are you most commonly in the property? When did you first notice the noise and/or vibration? Since at least November 2019 Did the noise increase suddenly, or was it gradual? Sudden Is the noise a rumble, a clanking or a screech? Clanking – heavy impulsive noise every ~2mn from 5:30 am to 1 am every day when a westbound Hammersmith & City/Circle/Metropolitan tube runs over what sounds like a faulty rail joint around the C20 bridge
As you have probably noticed, the noise coming from the exposed tube tracks on both sides of Acton Street has materially worsened in recent months. Every time a Circle/Hammersmith & City/Metropolitan tube carriage heads northbound (doesn’t affect southbound tracks) from Farringdon to King’s Cross St Pancras, that is about every 2 minutes, seven days a week from 5:30 am to about 12:30am, we hear a loud and echoing “clickety-clack” noise that lasts a good 5 seconds which seems to come from the tracks just before or underneath the C20 bridge (Acton Street). This noise is new, loud, abnormal, and way above and beyond any other tube noise that we’ve experienced to date in the area. TFL has sent an engineer to make sound measurement in the area on January 28th (Graham Jump) and acknowledged there is indeed an issue to be sorted. His report is pending, but he alluded that the remediation could take anything from a few months to a couple of years (!) depending on how TFL chooses to prioritize the issue. The noise may not be audible indoors from the windows overlooking Acton Street when good double-glazed windows are closed, but bear in mind the summer months when they may be open, in particular overnight – to be woken up at 5:30am including on weekends is not a particularly pleasant experience…
Please join me and complain to TFL so that they prioritize getting the tracks in the area fixed as soon as possible by filling a complaint form at the following web address: https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/contact-us-about-tube-and-rail, or by calling TFL on 0343 222 1234. The case officer is Derek Wilson.
It did not used to be that way, this degradation is caused by overdue maintenance and this noise is detrimental to the well-being and sleep of the residents, and potentially of properties value. Many thanks in advance, the more complaints TFL receive, the more they will be compelled to act quickly!
WC1X – Us the People from Acton Street and Swinton Street is a web-presence for and by the residents and people who live and work in and around Acton Swinton Street, Swinton Place and surrounding edges on Grays Inn Road and Kings Cross Road It is connected to other fora in the wider Kings Cross, Camden and Islington area!
Dear neighbours,
