Operational noise and vibration

Sound, noise and vibration resulting from the operation of HS2 is a key concern of our neighbours who are living or working near the railway. We have made commitments to take all reasonable steps to minimise the adverse effects of noise and vibration. This page provides information on how HS2 is designing and delivering the railway so that this commitment is achieved.

When operational, HS2 will generate sound. This will be both through the movement of trains along the line and from the equipment along the route needed to operate our trains. We have committed to reducing noise due to operations as far as reasonably practicable, with the aim of protecting local residents and communities from adverse effects.

Both the Environmental Minimum Requirements document and relevant Information Papers provide further information on how HS2 Ltd will meet its environmental commitments, including noise and vibration.

Designing the railway to reduce noise and vibration

Work has been undertaken on the design of the railway to reduce noise and vibration as far as reasonably practicable. Since then, with the help of our contractors, we have been working hard to further optimise the design of the railway to minimise noise.

We are the first railway project in Europe that intends to procure trains that are quieter than the noise limits mandated by the European Technical Specifications for Interoperability. We have also now welcomed our slab track designer on-board and will be using their experience gained constructing slab track throughout the world to design a low noise track system specific for HS2.

Building to reduce operational noise

Since 2017 our Civil Engineering Contractors have been undertaking the detail design of the civil works in preparation for construction. Our contractors have the opportunity to enhance the hybrid Bill design, and they are currently undertaking noise predictions and assessing design proposals. When developing the design of any noise mitigation required for the railway, in addition to its acoustic performance, our contractors are also considering; value for money, engineering and operational practicability, impacts on other environmental disciplines (e.g. visual and landscape) and stakeholder engagement.

Our Phase 1 Civils designers are currently designing tunnel vent shafts along the route to deliver our noise commitments. They are achieving this by providing sufficient sound insulating construction of the shaft headhouse. The designs also allow sufficient space for fan attenuators, optimise the orientation of outlets to direct sound away from dwellings and allowing sufficient space to provide a sound absorbing lining within the shaft’s chimneys.

How we will monitor railway operations