The persistent rumble of the north and southbound trains on the Jubilee line between Baker Street and St John's Wood has become significantly worse over time, creating a source of constant, severe disturbance for the Marylebone community.

This noise pollution problem has massive repercussions for local residents, causing widespread sleep deprivation and a sharp decline in the quality of life. Sleepless nights directly impact the community's overall health, wellbeing, and daily productivity.

Furthermore, this issue is causing severe economic damage to the neighbourhood. Local landlords are experiencing significant financial losses, with tenants moving out due to the noise, leading to lost rent and, in some cases, leaving properties entirely unrentable. The constant disruptions have begun to devalue homes in the area, directly impacting property owners' financial security and the local rental market.

Transport for London (TfL) has acknowledged the issue, stating that track maintenance—including grinding and lubrication—is difficult to implement given that they only have 2 grinding machines for the entire network. This limited number of machines and their age have been cited by TfL in official documents and London Assembly reports as a challenge in effectively managing widespread issues like tube noise. Notwithstanding the shortage of aged operational machines, TfL acknowledges that even track grinding doesn't resolve the problem for long. The pressure to run more trains at higher speeds is unrelenting, leaving less time to maintain the tracks effectively and properly.

This petition asks TfL to take immediate and sustainable steps to address the noise emanating from the Jubilee Line. Reducing train speeds and implementing considerably more regular maintenance schedules are vital measures that can significantly mitigate this issue. According to a study conducted by the European Environment Agency, a reduction in train speed by 10% can reduce noise pollution by approximately 40%. Regular and effective track maintenance with advanced noise-dampening technologies can further alleviate this problem.

TfL has the resources and responsibility to ensure that the neighbourhood of Marylebone excels not only in transport efficiency but also in protecting the economic stability, comfort, and health of its communities. Implementing these changes would showcase TfL's commitment to providing a better quality of life for all affected residents and property stakeholders.

This is not just about reducing noise; it is about respecting the rights of residents and property owners to enjoy their homes, protect their investments, and rest peacefully.

Please support this petition. Let's tell TfL that the comfort, health, and financial security of the community are just as important as transport efficiency. Please sign this petition to demand immediate action from TfL.

If you are affected by this, then please do complete the TFL complaints form too at:

https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/contact-us-about-tube-and-rail

 

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/24/noise-pollution-harms-health-of-millions-across-europe-report-finds​

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/reducing-noise-and-vibration#on-this-page-0​

https://www.mylondon.news/news/tfl-admits-loud-london-underground-27342271