I wish to request a) all reports and investigations in full of noise generated by the Northern Line North running beneath Kennington Park Road (including trains inbound and outbound to Oval, the Kennington Loop, Battersea Extension etc) during 2020. b) details of all works undertaken to the Northern line (for the same sections of track as for part a) in 2020. For the avoidance of doubt, this is for ALL work, not just work relating to minimising noise c) details of all future planned works to these sections of track d) details of all noise complaints for these sections of track

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TfL Ref: FOI-1160-2021

Thank you for your request received by us on 23 September 2020 asking for information about noise on the Northern Line at Kennington Park Road.

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. You asked:

1. all reports and investigations in full of noise generated by the Northern Line North running beneath Kennington Park Road (including trains inbound and outbound to Oval, the Kennington Loop, Battersea Extension etc) during 2020. From 1^st June 2020 until the present day.

Please see the reports attached.

Please note there is a backlog in taking measurements due to COVID19, thus we have not measured everywhere. In addition to this, if some of the complaints are in relative close distance of each other, it does not require us to measure all, but select based on getting the best understanding of the issue.

Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under the Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of the legislation, which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. 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 of Schedule 2 which would make the processing ‘fair’.

1. details of all works undertaken to the Northern line (for the same sections of track as for part a) in 2020. For the avoidance of doubt, this is for ALL work, not just work relating to minimising noise

1. details of all future planned works to these sections of track

As part of our standard maintenance activities, we carried out weld repairs and reprofiled the points and crossing below the residence. In addition to maintenance activities we:

• checked and tightened rail fastenings;
• added grout around any voiding (slightly lose) sleepers to ensure they do not move; and
• re-secured the conductor rail ramp (power supply rail) in relation to the crossing.

There is work going on to replace tracks as per the below diagram in Site A and Site B at Kennington.  The work will be completed in shifts during engineering hours until early spring 2021.

The aim is to improve noise and vibration levels and create a smoother passage for trains coming off/on the Northern Line Extension and moving on/off the Northern Line. 

We are constantly working and carrying out inspections at all areas of the track, so there will be other work we have done, but not directly under or alongside your property as far as our records show, since June 2020 as projects have been paused since March.

1. details of all noise complaints for these sections of track

Our customer services received complaints from nine residents for that section of track since June 2020. That’s up until 13 September 2020. Please find the details attached.

Again, personal data has been removed, as required by Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations, as quoted above.

Anyone affected by tube noise can contact TfL’s dedicated customer services line, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/

If you are considering submitting a further EIR/FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, 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

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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