Trouble for noisy' Londoners'
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• London Transport has run into snags over its plans to introduce quieter one-man double-deck Daimler Fleetline Londoner buses on the South London 124 route.
Sir Richard Way, chairman of London Transport, has told Mr Roland Moyle, Labour MP for Lewisham West, that this matter does not lend itself to easy or quick solutions.
There are two problems — noise from engines and the low frequency, inaudible vibration caused by the exhaust system.
Sir Richard said new silencers had been ordered for the remaining buses on the 124 route but there was a I2-week delivery period for this material. "We do not yet have a firm promise for completion of delivery although some buses will be fitted during this month," he said.
On engine noise Sir Richard said that following protracted negotiations the manufacturers had just completed work on the first of six buses which were being modified and London Transport was now beginning its own tests to determine the actual reduction in noise level.
"The five other buses will be returned to us by the maufacturers as they are dealt with and we expect to have them all by July," he said.
"I should make it clear that, although the results are promising, they cannot reasonably be built into existing buses or those now on order.
"The work we have done and the work now in hand should enable us, however, to produce a substantial reduction in the noise level of future designs for buses," Sir Richard said.
He emphasized that all London Transport buses complied with DoE requirements in respect of vehicle noise of all kinds and the work now in progress, at considerable cost, was over and above what was required to comply with noise regulations.
Mr Moyle said it was a pity Sir Richard had previously raised false expectations that the problem would be solved within 12 months.
"My constituents will be very disappointed and I will be discussing the matter with the residents action committee on March 29." he said.