Screeching underground
20 March 2025
London's Underground is louder than ever, according to the train drivers' union in Britain, consistently hitting noise levels far above the World Health Organization's (WHO) safe limit. The culprit? "Rail squeal", the screeching sound of metal wheels grinding against worn tracks.
According to the WHO, prolonged exposure to noise above 80 decibels – roughly the volume of a doorbell – can lead to hearing loss. But it's not just about our ears: research also links loud noise with greater risks of cardiovascular disease and poorer mental health.
Rail squeal isn't just a London problem. Across Europe, metro networks battle extreme noise pollution. Paris' metro reportedly reaches up to 102 decibels, while residents in Brussels and Berlin also struggle with shrill sounds. Measures to reduce noise levels include smoothing tracks, lubricating wheels often, and soundproofing platforms – but, predictably, these aren't cheap.
 | Danny Callaghan I avoid using London's Tube whenever possible, largely due to the high-pitch screeching. But yesterday, in service of the public interest, I travelled from north to south with a decibel meter app on my phone. As other passengers grimaced and covered their ears, I recorded a peak of 110 decibels – equivalent to a car horn from several metres away or someone shouting in my ear. |
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