Sue Doughty presses for firmer action on train horns

1.34.58pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 14th Feb 2005

Following the large numbers of complaints about train horns blasting through the air, Sue Doughty has been undertaking an investigation into the reasons for train horn noise and what can be done.

Already she has won the agreement that trains emerging from the tunnel as the leave Guildford station do not need to sound a horn unless someone is seen on the line. She has also persuaded South West Trains to fit quieter horns to their trains. But the quieter horns are not quiet enough according to local residents.

Yesterday Sue met leading members of the Noise Abatement Society and the National Association for Clean Air at the headquarters of Brigade Electronics who have developed a warning horn that does not produce the sharp ear splitting noise which annoys so many people. The news system has been implemented with enthusiasm for other vehicles, particularly for lorries when reversing. Sue said "I believe that this is the way forward. The new system is safer - you can easily tell the direction of the warning horn, and will stop at a stroke the dreadful noise from the two tone train systems. It will enhance safety, and provide much needed relief to local residents. What is particularly good is the fact that the warning is very clearly audible on the railway track where it is needed, but far less in other directions."

Over the last year Sue has been dealing with this problem which has been the subject of many complaints around Guildford. Areas affected include Wood Street Village, Guildford town centre, Artington, St Catherines, Peasmarsh and Chilworth. Sue will be meeting South West Trains to discuss this, along with a number of other performance issues on 28 Feb and will be contacting Virgin Trains and Great Western Link to continue the pressure on them.

The broadband train horn was tested independently by AEI for The Rail Safety Standards Board - which is funded by the Train Operating Companies. Although the AEI report was enthusiastic about the horn, the RSSB refused to accept their report without considerable rewriting.