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Joint press release from Noise Abatement Society & RSSB

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) held a high level meeting with the Noise Abatement Society and the Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) in September to consider some continuing problems caused by train horns.

The ORR brought both sides to the table where it was acknowledged that whilst some steps have been taken to try and deal with the problem, such as the reduction in the number of locations at which train horns are now sounded, which has improved the quality of life for some residents, and the lowering of the standard for noise levels from new train horns, there remains a significant problem for some line side residents.

The meeting was constructive and the RSSB have agreed to consider all possible solutions including further research into the Broadband option and further analysis of the detailed risks involved in order to find appropriate solutions to this problem.

To assist the RSSB in carrying out its review as quickly as possible, the Noise Abatement Society has offered to work with them and help where possible to ensure that a speedy resolution is achieved. To this end, the Noise Abatement Society will be in close contact with the RSSB and will meet again in a few months to see if solutions can be agreed.
In the light of its discussions with the ORR and the RSSB, the Noise Abatement Society has decided not to pursue the legal action that it was previously considering against the ORR, for the time being.
The Noise Abatement Society is determined to see that the noise nuisance caused by the strident tone of the new train horns is terminated and is working hard towards this aim. It has been successful in engaging with the authorities who have the power to change things and will now work with the RSSB to find a solution.

The RSSB is committed to exploring whether the balance between the essential safety purpose of train horns and the nuisance caused by the noise they make can be adjusted further to reduce the impact on line-side residents and to implement any changes that are identified as soon as reasonably practicable.