Noise from trains! Can I do anything?

MrPayless

Does anyone know if anyone will take note if I was to complain about the train noise from the track that runs parrallel to my home?
Who do I complain too and what can they do? Are there any laws regarding the noise and vibrations caused?

Commuter trains run up till 11pm and they are generally no louder than trucks and vans. However, there are many goods and commercial carriages that run all day and all night.

Some of these literally shake the houses for several seconds - its like being in an earthquake. Everything in the house vibrates and it can be a bit scary if you are fast asleep.

Im concerned about the noise but also the affect on the structure of the building - I hope someone can advise.

blue_haddock

Presumably the railway line has been there for many many years, in which case it was almost certainly there when you bought the house so its a bit late to be complaining about it in my opinion.

david29dpo

agreed. i live next to a main road, in the last ten years the traffic has got worse. its my problem and cant complain to anyone. ps move, i am!.

lilyann1

Yes something that no one tells you when buying their house!!!
We lived in a flat right on the railway line the noise from the trains in the daytime up til 11pm was bearable and in the end we didn't notice it,but every morning between 3 and 5 there were freight trains that always woke us up.
Nothing you can do I am afraid.

wigginsmum

We have a railway that runs across the end of our garden (the only break is 1am - 5am), and yes it shakes the house, but to be honest, after 6 years we don't even notice it anymore.

Gorgeous_George

I stayed in the Travelodge at Gatwick recently (big spender,me!).

My room looked onto the main runway with planes taking off every minute or so but I could barely hear them. I think you need double glazing with a larger gap between the panes. May be worth doing a search.

Also, soundproofing behind the wallpaper may help.

You could write to the train operators asking them to slow down but this may be pointless. A petition may help.

When you bought the house were you told that trains would be running all night? If not, it may be possible to a claim some refund from your vendors.

Personally, if I liked the house/area enough, I'd try the soundproofing route; otherwise, I'd move.



GG

JennyW_2

Gorgeous_George wrote:

When you bought the house were you told that trains would be running all night? If not, it may be possible to a claim some refund from your vendors.

very doubtful I'd of thought unless something was legally drawn up and besides, it's a train line, it's going to get busier as all main roads do year after year - it's life unfortunately

I have a train line at the back of my garden and it's something I accepted when I bought the house. The trains were there long before the houses were bought so yes I agree with the others that I doubt you'd have any luck complaining about the noise.

When I bought our house I wasn't told that the odd freight train may come through at 3am and I think if I was going to try and sue the vendors they'd fall over laughing.

lilyann1

Yes I think if the vendors trying to sell their house said oh yes there's the odd freight train running at 3am ,it would put the buyers right off the property.They are never going to tell you and you'll never claim against them,unless of course it was in the solicitors questionaire and they answered it incorrectly?
I agree with looking into getting some sort of soundproofing and good quality double glazing

dougk_2

I really get annoyed when people want to complain about noise form exsisting scenarios like, airports, main roads ,train lines and motor racing circuits. When looking at houses don't people consider this and 9 out of 10 times the house is "cheaper" because of it.
Personally my feeling is the law should state that there is no redress for owners who purchase properties after the exsisting "noise source" is there and to expect a reasonable increase in noise and traffic due to increased use in the future (i.e airport expansions etc).
If you had a home buyers report I bet the survey mentioned the noise from the railway in the report?

JennyW_2

dougk wrote:

I really get annoyed when people want to complain about noise form exsisting scenarios like, airports, main roads ,train lines and motor racing circuits. When looking at houses don't people consider this and 9 out of 10 times the house is "cheaper" because of it.
Personally my feeling is the law should state that there is no redress for owners who purchase properties after the exsisting "noise source" is there and to expect a reasonable increase in noise and traffic due to increased use in the future (i.e airport expansions etc).
If you had a home buyers report I bet the survey mentioned the noise from the railway in the report?

I agree. When we purchased our house, it was noticeably cheaper coz of the train line and when it was valued this year to sell, it was capped by £15K for this reason. It was also mentioned on our home buyer's report 6 years ago.

I, like you, would've known the noise factor associated with the property when putting in an offer and buying it.

wisbech_lad

Well, you can always move...