Residents of Rushfords in Lingfield will soon be able to enjoy an uninterrupted night of sleep thanks to a campaign led by Peter Ainsworth MP to reduce the nuisance of excessively loud train horns.
On Friday 16th March East Surrey MP, Peter Ainsworth met with local residents and representatives of Network Rail at the Rushfords crossing. At the meeting Network Rail representative, Paul Coleman, agreed that visibility on the line was sufficient to allow the removal of whistle boards from the Park Farm crossing, the board closest to the homes of Rushford residents. Whistle boards are used in areas of poor visibility as a signal to train drivers to sound a horn to warn people of an approaching train. Residents of lineside houses have been plagued by excessive noise since the introduction of new train horns in 2005.
Peter Ainsworth said:
“This is a great outcome for the residents of Rushfords who have suffered sleepless nights and distress as a result of the noise from the train horns. Although, due to safety considerations, progress has been slow I am grateful to Network Rail for the way in which they have responded to residents’ concerns.”
He went on to say:
“However, this is an isolated solution and will do nothing to alleviate the wider problem in Surrey and across the country. The fundamental problem remains. The new model of train horns are unacceptably loud. I will work hard to ensure that everything possible is done to reduce their decibel level.”
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