If Crossrail builds a tunnel 8m from my property at a depth of 34m, will I get vibrations and noise?

Question

Also, will there be subsidence? And will I be compensated if there is. I'm half way through buying this property...

That's metres, not miles! Has anyone had experience of living above a tube line?

There's a ventilation hatch being built, but it's afew roads away.

Answer 1

This is definitely a question for your surveyor and your lawyer, but it may also be worth finding out about the local geology. The rock types, surrounding the tunnel and underneath your house, are what will determine if you feel vibration or hear any noise. It is likely that an impact assessment will have be lodged with the local area planning board this information will be publicly available and would be worth looking at.

Compensation claims will depend on the legal agreements surrounding the building of the tunnel and are likely to be complex. Ask your lawyer to look into this. It is possible that there is a compensation mechanism already in place if adverse effects are expected from the tunnel building.

Remember it is not in the interests of the builders or the operators to build a tunnel, which impacts the properties above due to the potential of compensation claims running to the millions of pounds.

Answer 2

You won't get any vibrations or noise. The places in London where you can feel the tube are where it runs very shallow - crossrail is much deeper then the tube. There will be no subsidence either, the london geology is good for tunnelling, and at weak points they use injection grouting to prevent it. If anything did happen you would get compensation, but it won't. Enjoy the fact that crossrail will make moving around loads better, and likely increase your property value.

Answer 3

You could possibly detect a small amout of vibration. Subsidence will not be a problem as the tunnels are made very strong as they have to withstand the weight of everything above them. If subsidence was a problem then most of London would have subsided by now.

Answer 4

No and no. In New York City some of the priciest houses and apartments you will ever see have been built above subway tunnels near Central Park. No one has ever said I will not pay that many millions for this property since there is a subway under it.

Answer 5

You probably won't get noise but possibly some vibration. Your surveyor should be responsible for checking that out. If they have any doubts and you then go ahead and buy the property anyway then of course you won't be entitled to compensation! You were warned! Caveat emptor - something like that - buyer beware.

Answer 6

My house is about 150 feet (50m ) from an above ground train in a suburban environment. I feel slight vibrations in my basement, and through the house, when it goes by. The earth is like jelly to some extent.

Answer 7

Buy somewhere else. This will devalue the house prices in that area. Be very causious

Answer 8

Definitely not. The tunnel is to fare underground

Answer 9

you need to think very very carefuly, ask anyone you know who lives over/near a tube line and you'll have your answer.

Answer 10

if m stands for miles, probably not; If m stands for metres probably yes!