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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Train wheel screeching on railway behind Wightman Road.

Cllr Schmitz and I visited the Depot before Christmas last year. One of the things I brought up with the First Group managers was the ongoing problem of screeching train wheels which particularly affects Wightman Road residents whose properties back onto the railway. This is an ongoing frustration to residents particular in the summer months.

They have taken the issue away and looked at the causes and ways to remedy it. I have received a letter explaining what steps have been taken so far.

Their track manager has assessed the problems and steadily improved the track at Hornsey depot. Last month, specifically, they lifted and relaid '23 road' - the track lane that runs into the main depot building closest to neighbouring houses. This was tight (hence the noise) and needed regauging. The reduction in noise for residents, however, may have been less noticeable as the screeching was happening just inside the building, not outside.

In addition, their track manager has been gradually renewing the points that switch trains from one track to another on the approach to the main building. This in itself reduces the noise generated by passing trains. The last of these, 'number 8 points' had had to be closed because of its poor state. They have now been renewed which allows them to move some of the heavy traffic away from the east side of the depot and away from their neighbours. The full improvement will be felt once their staff have been fully rebriefed in route learning for the restored layout so they can make use of it. That should be completed by the end of February (it takes this long to complete the training because of the rostering arrangements).

Their track manager has also installed a greaser at the head of the yard which means that every train entering the depot receives a dose of grease on its passing wheels which will again deliver a significant improvement.

I would be very grateful for any feedback from residents on this issue, please let me know if you think there is an improvement, or if there is not and I can continue to drive this issue forward.

Cllr Karen Alexander
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Tags for Forum Posts: embankment, noise, railway, railway noise, train noise

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Graeme Viljoen on February 8, 2011 at 13:22
Thanks Karen.. we live at 125 Wightman Road (about half way along the track), and will report back on any improvements, or not.
Permalink Reply by Juliawoo on February 11, 2011 at 10:51

Appreciate you doing that and will let you know if it seems better.  The only other thing that would be appreciated is if they don't use horns after a certain time - sometimes in the middle of the night I nearly jump out of my skin with a loud whistle and it seems pretty random.

thanks

Permalink Reply by Graeme Viljoen on February 11, 2011 at 11:03
We've also heard the horns late at night. Seem to think that it's a case of the driver waking up the person on duty at the depot, to let them in, or something like that.
Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on February 11, 2011 at 11:10

Many thanks for taking this initiative.  It is good to know that the railway employees are to be kept aware that limiting noise is important. I have noticed wheel screeching occasionally and, as it didn't happen all the time, I wondered whether different types of rolling stock have different characteristics.  If so, we need to know that the new trains that they want to bring here won't add to the problem.

May I ask whether you had any discussion regarding the maintenance of the trees and shrubs between the railway and the houses?

Permalink Reply by Karen Alexander on February 18, 2011 at 17:33
I haven't asked about the maintenance of the trees and shrubs but I will follow it up.  I will also mention the horns at random hours.
Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on May 12, 2011 at 12:44

Dear Ms Alexander,

May I ask whether you have learned anything further about this matter?

I can see that in the last few days some trees have been cut down on the embankment.  From my place I see them at an angle but they appear to be behind number 189 Wightman Road and the next few houses southwards.

Some kind of heavy works are still going on and it would be nice to know whether the tree removal was incidental to this other work and whether further tree felling can be expected.   Also whether it was done in response to a request by a resident (eg because of overhanging branches).

It would be most unwelcome to me to see the tree screen between the houses and the railway removed.  A proper management regime is needed that deals with overhanging in either direction but preserves an effective screen.

It would be good to know whether they take account of restrictions on tree felling during the nesting season of wild birds (mid-March to early August according RSBP).

Permalink Reply by David Schmitz on May 12, 2011 at 15:31

Thanks very much for this. I've put in an enquiry and will post the response.

Best,

David Schmitz

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Harringay Ward

Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on February 21, 2011 at 9:05

Thanks.  I was prompted to raise this because I noticed that in one planning application, Network Rail cited the screening effect of trees and shrubs as making their proposal to expand operations more acceptable.  I don't believe that the trees and shrubs were planted for this reason (indeed I would guess that they are self seeded wild growth) but I don't dispute that they do improve the view.  If the railway is sincere in claiming that the screening is beneficial, they should undertake to manage and maintain it properly.  Shortly after I bought this house around 1980, all the trees were cut right down to the ground and what is there now have grown up since then.  I haven't noticed any tree management going and I am anxious to ensure that we won't see another complete clear out of the trees as soon as they have reached a height that seems risky for the railway.

Having said this, there are some places where trees growing on the railway land are overhanging gardens and it would be nice to know who could be called upon to do some lopping or removal of these.

Finally, there is a section (along the backs of Wightman Road houses from Hamden Road to Falkland Road) where there is no tree screening and where it would be nice to see some.

Let me know if you have time to have look from my house.  I can probably also find an old photo or two of what was like earlier.

Permalink Reply by Graeme Viljoen on February 21, 2011 at 9:15
Yes, to confirm, we don't want the trees removed please.
Permalink Reply by Hugh on February 21, 2011 at 9:39

I caught a news item on TV (last Friday?) on Network Rail completely cutting back all the trees to stop them damaging a railway bank. I think it was in South London somewhere. I thought of the line behind Wightman whilst I was watching.

In the planning application the work had been described as 'thinning vegetation'. So keep your eyes open on any planning application. I imagine these trees wouldn't be eligible for a tree protection order* - but worth investigation as spoon as possible?

 

*Warning - this link to Haringey's website is running very slowly this morning

Permalink Reply by Hugh on February 21, 2011 at 9:46
Oops - page has just load and screening value is specifically mentioned as a reason for listing. So it's worth a try!
Permalink Reply by Liz on February 21, 2011 at 9:48

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