How many complaints about tube noise entering people’s homes from the Victoria line between Highbury and Islington and King’s Cross stations have you received over the last 2 years?

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TfL Ref: 3734-1920 

Thank you for your request received by us on 11 March 2020 asking for how many complaints about tube noise entering people’s homes from the Victoria line between Highbury and Islington and King’s Cross stations have you received in the last two years. What are the long-term solutions to mitigate the new high noise levels coming from the tube and entering people's homes between Highbury and Islington and King’s Cross stations.

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

Since the beginning of 2018, Customer Services have received and registered complaints from 72 different addresses between King’s Cross and Highbury & Islington about Tube noise coming into the resident’s home.

The breakdown by year is:

2018 – 12

2019 – 39

2020 – 21

A couple of points to note:

We log this type of complaint by address, so if several members of one household complain or multiple complaints ae submitted, they’re all consolidated into one file so that it can be recorded as an ongoing complaint.

We have taken a number of actions to try and reduce noise levels in this area. This has included hand-grinding sections of track, where heavy corrugation has been identified, and removing redundant rail joints (this work was completed in July 2019). Further rail grinding was also carried out in September 2019.

In the longer-term, we are continuing to investigate the feasibility of the use of an alternative track fastening product, which could be applied to wooden sleepers (the current trackform in this area). If a trial of this product proves successful, it could then be rolled out to other areas, including between Highbury & Islington and King’s Cross St. Pancras. 

The Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the Coronavirus. It is essential for London, and in particular for all critical workers, that we continue to provide a safe transport network that enables them to make the journeys they need to.

In current circumstances, we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.

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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.

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Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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