Presentation of the NLE at the Tunnels and Tunnelling Conference 2010

This presentation by David MaCann from Halcrow, the engineer for the NLE, speaks for itself but it is worth noting that there will be a train every 2 minutes at peak time (32 trains per hour). (There is an interesting part more specifically about Kennington after 20 & 32minutes).

It is also mentioned that the updated Environmental Assessment should be available now. (it will be completed a few months after the talk which was in September 2010). Considering that detailed information is available, it is difficult not to be paranoid of the virtual absence of information that has been issued on noise to date; at all recent consultation events and on their website the NLE team only mention the 2008 Environmental Report.

On the positive note, they state that they are designing the tunnels to be big enough for the tunnels to "accommodate a floating track bed" as they "anticipate noise and vibrations is likely to be an issue along the route" and considering the recent experience on other projects of London Underground and Crossrail (after 17 minutes). They don't confirm where this measure will be used, or if it will be used either. I am not yet clear if "floating track bed" is the same as "floating slab track" ; the later is the one used at Crossrail in sensitive areas.

Also worth of note is that the reason for the tunnel route avoiding the Oval grounds is that it is feared that the vibration will impact the Cricket games (not an issue with piled foundations as has been previously presented). The route has been curved more and lengthened to achieve this re-routing - and therefore made costlier. If it impacts cricket games, shouldn't we be worried that it impacts our homes?