The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

110 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
National Rail
4B.26 The National Rail Network is a vital component in London’s local public
transport system, as well as in the city’s role as national and international
gateway. The Mayor’s Transport Strategy seeks the integration of London’s
historic legacy of overground railways into a system to facilitate not only
commuting and reduction in passenger overcrowding, but wider travel
needs through development of services into an overground London Metro.
Over time, this will include development of orbital rail services in inner
London, and increased late night and weekend services. Mechanisms have
been established to provide co-ordination between the Mayor, the
Government, Transport for London, and the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA)
in delivering shared objectives for National Rail in London.
4B.27 National Rail has suffered from under-investment for many years, and
much infrastructure is in a poor state of repair. Massive investment is
needed to upgrade it and to increase capacity. Securing public acceptance
of expansion requires National Rail to set standards for construction and
maintenance plant and equipment to minimise noise disturbance during
upgrading work. Similarly, to secure public acceptance for increased
capacity requires the relevant railway organisations to play a positive role
in setting product acceptance criteria for new plant and equipment (both
trackside and train mounted), and agreeing common approaches to
assessment, monitoring, managing and resolving of operational noise and
vibration issues. Improvements in track quality and maintenance, with
new, quieter rolling stock, operated reliably and consistently, should make
it possible to provide more train services on many lines without significant
adverse effects. The implications of service improvements which could
have significant impacts on noise or vibration will need to be assessed on
a scheme-by-scheme basis.
4B.28 Integrated design and management of the wheel-rail interface is critical to
railway noise and vibration minimisation. The heightened attention to asset
management following the Hatfield rail disaster presents the opportunity
to put in place modern engineering management to deliver safety,
efficiency and environmental benefits. Asset condition monitoring systems
provide a basis for planned preventative maintenance programmes. They
can incorporate data relevant to noise management and give a tool for
improving the railway’s relationships with its neighbours, including prompt
and informed response to complaints. Such improvements are essential if
London is to achieve a modern and expanding railway which maximises its
contribution to sustainable development.
4B.29 Negotiation of franchises, and other arrangements on National Rail
should build in sufficient flexibility to allow for responsive noise