Introduction
It is important to point out that the residents in the area are well aware of what to expect when living next to the railway, and have been unconcerned by the level of regular general noise, and maintenance from the Underground for many years. Indeed some people have lived here all their lives, some from the time many of the houses were built in the late1930s! What residents did not expect is that the volume of noise would increase suddenly and dramatically, resulting in an immediate and significant curtailment in the quality of life.
Contents
Historical Background
The Kingsbury Curve
Current problems
Affect on residents
What preparatory work did TfL do?
What has TfL done since June 2019 to date 07.09.21?
What residents have done
Residents have asked for...
Further questions
Appendix
Historical Background.
The embankment on which the two-track Jubilee Line runs was built in 1930/32 and called the Stanmore Line. Engineers frequently monitor the embankment for any movement and have stated that there have been constant problems of ground movement over the years. They call it “The Kingsbury Curve”. In 2016 the embankment on the northern side, which runs alongside the Wealdstone Brook and Uxendon Hill, was reinforced. To do so, mature trees were cut down.
Only when local residents complained, did Brent Council arrange a meeting with TfL at which apologies were made for not consulting residents prior to starting this work. In the summer of 2017this work was completed. Three steps were built at the same time from three access gates up to the tracks, one of which is approached from The Avenue - Bailey’s steps.
https://www.freecountrymaps.com/map/towns/great_britain/27365505/
The Kingsbury Curve
The Jubilee Line track embankment is situated in the valley of the Wealdstone Brook and runs at the foot of gardens in Uxendon Hill and Ravenscroft Avenue. On one side is Preston Road, on a ridge, and the other side of the valley is Fryent Countryside Park (206 ft/186m high). There is, therefore, an echo effect of any noise produced, and the water of the Brook makes the sound even louder.
The Avenue under the bridge S2 (built c.1930/32) has been subject to flash flooding. The tracks are about 20 feet above The Avenue, and 28 feet above the Wealdstone watercourse.
The Kingsbury Curve is on a section of the tracks between Wembley Park Station and Kingsbury Station (up-trains) and Kingsbury Station and Wembley Park Station (down-trains) and is on an incline. It is also a long sharp bend between a straight stretch from Kingsbury and straight stretch just before the bridge over The Avenue en route to Wembley Park.
Between Kingsbury and Wembley Park the Jubilee Line runs through a wholly residential area.
In August 2017 the whistle signs were removed from the bend as there was increased visibility for drivers after the trees had been cut down. The speed restriction sign (20mph) was taken down too,although we don’t know exactly when, but it is highly likely it was taken down at the same time as the whistle signs.
Current problems
Many people have lived in the area for years with no noise issues. Long-term residents have raised or are raising young families and had hopes that they could live the rest of their lives here and were never bothered by the trains.
Over the past three years it has become noticeable that train noise levels have increased and areincreasing. Now the noise is becoming unbearable:
*high pitched shrill screeching/screaming sound produced for about 7 seconds when passing each house, and is worse when trains pass each other
*squealing of wheels against the rails
*lower rhythmical dum dee dum ...dum dee dum ... de dum..de dum...
The speed of the trains has increased. Residents were not consulted before this happened.
Train frequency is usually every 2-5 minutes according to the TfL timetable though it often feels as if the trains are running every 2 minutes. In addition trains run from 05.30hrs to 01.30hrs ie 20 hours.
NB. There was no consultation before the night-time trains were introduced after Nov 2019. The night time trains run every 10 minutes from Friday evening through to early Sunday morning – 60 hours non-stop at weekends!
Affect on residents
For those who are at home relaxing, on holiday, ill, elderly, housebound, or working from home, this incessant noise is most uncomfortable and unsettling.
House temperatures of up to 27 degrees have meant windows have to be open all day and frequently all night.
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