Objectives & Statistics

Policy objective

Preventing noise and nuisance from our activities using best practicable means.

Measuring our progress

A project using Six Sigma troubleshooting techniques has reduced the time it takes us to investigate, resolve and close out noise complaints by over 50 per cent
To help manage noise, stations and depots have been assessed for noise sensitivity

Click here for full performance data for 2007

Case studies

A swifter response

“It’s all about challenging the norm and the way we work… We have become smarter and more thorough in our processes.”
Peter Murray, Tube Lines Project Manager

Read in our case study how a Six Sigma project has cut the time it takes us to close out noise complaints - and the importance of embedding noise control into our project management processes.

Communication works magic with the community

“It’s all about respecting other people’s point of view. We never forget how painful our work can be for everybody affected and take this seriously every step of the way.”
Chris Ball, Access Manager for Tube Lines’ Stations team

Maintaining a regular dialogue with the local community has been a major contributor to the successful progress of major improvement works at Stanmore station. Read more in our case study.

Short stories

New welfare vehicles
Our track and station upgrade teams introduced new mobile welfare facility vehicles in 2007, keeping employees in hi-visibility gear off the street where no permanent facilities are available.
PA systems
As we renew and replace station public address (PA) systems we adjust volumes to match existing background noise levels. The sound is directional to ensure that announcements are heard only where they are needed. In one case on the Piccadilly line where the new on-train PA system was too effective, we quickly turned the volume down!
Tubevac’s star performance
We now have two giant industrial Tubevac machines, which are vacuum excavators, used to hoover up ballast and silt. This job was previously carried out by men using shovels and the new machines have increased productivity on our track upgrade activities by 300 per cent – and reduced noise levels, too. We are currently trying to find ways of cutting noise levels during the activity which takes place after that Tubevac has done its work.

Tube Lines Environment and Community Report 2007

Tightening up the controls

Noise control is a top priority for Tube Lines. We operate in a challenging and unique environment, carrying out maintenance and construction work predominantly at night, when the network is closed to the public. We will have modernised or refurbished nearly 100 stations by 2010.

It is very important to us that we are considerate contractors. Efficient processes, a positive approach to problem-solving and a constant dialogue with neighbours and local authorities are all key to making sure that we keep noise disruption to a minimum as we carry out our work.

Assessing sensitivity

In 2007 we carried out noise risk assessments for all our depots. This complements assessments completed in 2006 for all stations due to be refurbished or modernised by 2010. “We now have a full set of data for all of the premises on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines,” explains Rachael Labruyere, Projects Environmental Adviser.

Each site has been allocated a noise sensitivity level measured against a range of factors including location, proximity to residents, shared party walls, background noise levels or a history of complaints. “We use this to focus our efforts on the most noise-sensitive locations,” Rachael explains. “All Tube Lines people are required to keep their voices down and act with consideration, but at these more sensitive locations we will also review working practices as necessary and consider measures such as using noise barriers.”

Project planning

Noise and nuisance management is integrated into our project planning and management processes. For safety reasons, the majority of our works have to be conducted at night during engineering hours when there are no passengers and the traction current is switched off. However, where it is safe to do so, we work with London Underground employees to carry out work during the day.

Occasionally we are granted track and station closures that allow us to close particular locations and conduct noisier work over the weekend, subject to approval by London Underground. For example, at the end of May 2007 we completed the last of 40 planned weekend closures to upgrade 10.4km of track on the Northern line in record time. By working round the clock we brought improvements to passengers forward by three years.

Section 61 consents

As part of our proactive approach, any sites with medium or high noise sensitivity are required to submit a section 61 noise consent application to the local authority during the project planning stages. This informs the council of the works to be undertaken and our plans for managing and mitigating noise and nuisance. Once the consent has been approved by the local authority it acts as a legal agreement ensuring best practicable means are implemented.

Complaints

We provide a 24-hour telephone helpline (08700 702 424) for members of the public to report any issues with our work. Read the community relations section of this report to find out more about how we deal with complaints.

Goodge Street

In 2007, as in the past, we were informed by the local authority that it was unhappy with our management of the night-time loading and unloading of track replacement equipment at Goodge Street station. We worked with the local authority to investigate the complaints and modified our activities to minimise any nuisance and keep the job running. We are now proactively discussing arrangements for the station modernisation works due to start in 2008.

Innovation – noise barriers

In 2007 our station upgrade team trialled a new station entrance noise barrier designed to prevent noise made inside the station carrying outside and disturbing residents. Subject to successful trials of a second prototype – all equipment used on the Underground must be specially approved and comply with strict health, safety, environment and security restrictions – we will be installing these barriers at appropriate stations in the future.

Another team has also designed and implemented a mobile noise barrier to reduce nuisance caused by noisy works to make platforms safer for people with limited mobility.