Noise & Vibration

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The construction work for HS2 is likely to create noise and vibration that will affect some residents living near HS2 worksites. We will design and construct HS2 in ways that reduce noise as much as we reasonably can. In certain circumstances, where construction noise from HS2 is still likely to affect you in your home, we may offer to install noise insulation for you, or pay for you to install it yourself. HS2 Information paper E23: Control of Construction Noise and Vibration outlines the policy and how eligibility for noise insulation is determined.

The type of noise insulation we offer is called ‘secondary glazing’. Secondary glazing typically consists of a single pane in an aluminium frame. It is installed inside your room, set back 100mm to 200mm from your existing window. Your original windows will remain in place and unaltered. Supplementary ventilation is often required, so you can keep your windows closed during periods of noise. Venetian-style blinds can also be installed between the panes, to shade rooms from direct sunlight and reduce heat.

More information about the noise insulation package can be found in our Noise Insulation Leaflet.

You may qualify if you live in a house, flat or other building used for residential purposes, and the predicted or actual construction noise levels exceed the ‘trigger levels’ and ‘temporal criteria’ - you can read about these in HS2 information paper E23.

The Government has announced the HS2 Prolonged Disruption Compensation Scheme.

This policy complements a wider package of environmental controls set out in the HS2 Phase One environmental minimum requirements and adds to the noise insulation and temporary re-housing measures set out in information paper E23.

We are aware of the issues that building a new railway can cause to people who live nearby. We will design and build the railway in ways that reduce noise as much as we reasonably can.

An introduction to the scheme for residents has been published on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-prolonged-disruption-compensation-scheme/prolonged-disruption-compensation-scheme

Full guidance will be published in late autumn 2019 in advance of the start of the Phase One main construction works.

If you are eligible under this scheme we will contact you in advance of the construction works to discuss your options and provide more information about the application process.

In the meantime if you have any questions, please contact the HS2 Helpdesk on 08081 434 434 or hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .