Request ID: FOI-0138-2223 Date published: 30 May 2022
You asked
Please provide a copy of the latest decibel readings inside passenger carrages across all TFL underground network lines showing that these readings are in line with HSE safety guidlines
We answered
TfL Ref: 0138-2223 Thank you for your request received by us on 19 April and following clarification, 4 and 5 May 2022, asking for information about decibel readings taken inside London Underground passenger carriages. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. You asked for: a copy of the report commissioned by TFL showing the (latest) decibel readings taken inside carriages on all TFL underground lines. The London Underground network supports millions of passenger journeys on daily basis. We are committed to doing everything we can to minimise Tube noise as far as is reasonably practicable. We are aware of issues with in-carriage noise on our network. We continuously take noise readings and review the track condition to assess what works can be done to reduce noise, The majority of readings are recorded in the driver’s cab, rather than inside train carriages to assess Train Operator exposure to noise. These assessments are conducted with respect to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (HSE Publication L108). Noise is measured in the driving cab of in-service trains during normal operating conditions. I can confirm that we do not hold such a report and so are unable to provide the information requested. Decibel readings taken inside carriages are implemented on an ad-hoc basis and these readings would differ to those recorded in a driver’s cab. Decibel readings taken inside tube carriages are not held on a central reporting system and the most recent of these readings we have are those taken during March 2020 in tube tunnel sections of the Bakerloo, Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines, which we could provide if these are of interest. However, to try to locate past readings for the remainder of the network, some of which could have been undertaken by a wide ranging number of engineers, would likely be something we would not be able to provide due to the burden that would be created by the process of attempting to locate, extract and collate the information. If you would like to narrow the scope of your request by limiting it to decibel readings taken inside the Bakerloo, Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria line services during March 2020 then please confirm and we will process this. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. Yours sincerely Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
