Request ID: FOI-1641-2122 Date published: 12 November 2021
You asked
With reference to FOI-1803-2021: I wish to follow up this FOI with a query. The FOI covers "service, tunnels, trains, equipment and system"
1. What changes have been made to rails and the supporting infrastructure of sleepers and fixings or blocks since 1/1/2019?
3. How is tfl looking to mitigate the disturbing rumble noise that started being emitted by passing trains now that concrete is being used?
4. Noting this 2014 review of tfl track form by Peter Barber:
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.thepwi.org/seminars/network_rail_summer_track_engineering_conference_july_2014/lu_deep_tube_track_form_developments_peterbarber_lu_nrtec_july2014&ved=2ahUKEwjKhpO71d3zAhXGVsAKHZY8AGEQFnoECDsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw351II15u0v9DaUlEl42ccX
TFL has good experience evaluating and testing various types of blocks.
The Delkor ALT1 used at St Paul's cite a 9DB reduction.
Does tfl plan to see that similar or better noise reduction will be applied and that blocks or sleepers in the Chalk Farm local area be altered in light of latest experience to address the concerns raised?
We answered
TfL Ref: EIR-1641-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 22nd October 2021 asking for information about noise and vibrations on the Northern Line. This is further to case ref. FOI-1803-2021 which asked questions specifically on the section of track between Camden Town and Chalk Farm tube stations
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. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1. What changes have been made to rails and the supporting infrastructure of sleepers and fixings or blocks since 1/1/2019?
There have been no changes to the infrastructure in the Chalk Farm area since 01/01/2019 except for those listed in the attached document. These all relate to the replacement of rails. There have been no changes to sleepers, fixings or other infrastructure. The length of rail replaced can be calculated from the information in the “Date Welds Cast” and “Offset” columns. So, for example, if you look at the first two rows dated 03/05/2019, Camden Town to Chalk Farm, we installed welds at 67m and 99m, meaning 32m of rail was installed.
Question 2:. How is tfl looking to mitigate the disturbing rumble noise that started being emitted by passing trains now that concrete is being used?
The current track form in this area contains timber sleepers. Where future renewals are planned to take place, resilient base plates will be installed on concrete to avoid an increase in noise.
Question 3: Noting this 2014 review of tfl track form by Peter Barber:
TFL has good experience evaluating and testing various types of blocks.
The Delkor ALT1 used at St Paul's cite a 9DB reduction.
Does tfl plan to see that similar or better noise reduction will be applied and that blocks or sleepers in the Chalk Farm local area be altered in light of latest experience to address the concerns raised?
All future track renewals will take consideration of noise and vibration and we will install the best possible solution suitable to the location. However, there is no planned renewals in the chalk farm area at present.
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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
