What measurements have been carried out by TfL and its predecessors on noise and vibration in Barbican homes and: - over what period have these been done? - which flats have had noise pollution measurement in the Barbican estate in the last 5 years? - can the reports of these measurements now be provided to the Barbican Association and/or the occupants of the flats? - considering these measurements, what level of noise and, separately, of vibration transmission from the railway to surrounding homes does TfL regard as acceptable? - how do the noise and vibration levels revealed by these measurements relate to any undertakings which have been made to the EIB in respect of environmental impacts arising from works undertaken on, or which are planned for, the tube lines beneath the Barbican following receipt of the £1bn (announced in 2015) loan to TfL?

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TfL Refs: 0651-1819

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11 June 2018 asking for information about levels of recorded noise and vibration in Barbican flats above the tube lines.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.

What measurements have been carried out by TfL and its predecessors on noise and vibration in Barbican homes and: The levels of ground borne noise from passing trains have been measured in a number of properties within the Barbican estate in response to residential noise complaints. These measurements are undertaken in order to investigate the source of the complaint i.e. the section of track where the noise is coming from.

- over what period have these been done? The in-property noise measurements are carried out in response to individual noise complaints. Follow up measurements might be taken to ascertain if rail works have any impact in the transmission of ground borne noise within the property. Typically the noise measurements are carried out over a 30min to 1 hour period during the day, however they can set up to measure over a longer period, such as during the night, if the background noise levels are interfering with the measurements.

- which flats have had noise pollution measurement in the Barbican estate in the last 5 years?

• Lambert Jones Mews – Feb 2015

   

• Lambert Jones Mews – Jan 2015, Feb 2017, June 2017, May 2018

   

• Defoe House – May 2018

   

• Defoe House – May 2018

   

• Defoe House – May 2018

   

• Defoe House – Feb 2015, March 2016, Feb 2017

   

• Defoe House – Oct 2017

   

• Gilbert House – Oct 2017 (Noise not detectable, vibration source of complaint).

   

• Gilbert House - Oct 2017 (Noise not detectable, vibration source of complaint).

   

• Willoughby House – Nov 2017

   

• Willoughby House – Nov 2017

   

• Brandon Mews – Nov 2013, April 2015

   

• Brandon Mews – Nov 2013, April 2015, June 2016

Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under Data Protection legislation the relevant house number has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of Article 5 (1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation, which requires personal data to be processed lawfully, fairly and transparently. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions in Article 6 necessary to determine that the processing is ‘lawful’.

- can the reports of these measurements now be provided to the Barbican Association and/or the occupants of the flats? The reports are only issued to the complainant in accordance with our Data Protection legislation obligations outlined above.

- considering these measurements, what level of noise and, separately, of vibration transmission from the railway to surrounding homes does TfL regard as acceptable? There is no acceptable level of noise and vibration. In every investigation the noise and vibration is regarded as a disruption to the individual’s home life regardless of level. However the rail engineers may prioritise track remedial works based on the higher in-property noise and vibration levels.

- how do the noise and vibration levels revealed by these measurements relate to any undertakings which have been made to the EIB in respect of environmental impacts arising from works undertaken on, or which are planned for, the tube lines beneath the Barbican following receipt of the £1bn (announced in 2015) loan to TfL? Our 2015 finance contract with the EIB does not include any reference to noise and vibration, nor does it include limits or standards for noise and vibration levels.

If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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