Traffic-related vibrations and property concerns

The Council recognises that residents in urban areas may experience concerns regarding vibrations from traffic, particularly near busy roads or traffic calming features.

These concerns can include fears of property damage, disruption to daily life, and potential health impacts.

While we take all resident feedback seriously, it is important to clarify the scope of our responsibilities and the findings of relevant research.

Likelihood of Property Damage

Extensive research by the Transport Research Laboratory has shown that damage to buildings from ground-borne vibrations, such as those caused by road humps, is highly unlikely.

Their studies indicate that:

• Buildings must be within 1 metre of a road hump to be at risk of minor damage.
• Buildings must be within 4 metres to be at risk of superficial cracking from long-term exposure.

Council Responsibilities

Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, London Borough of Harrow, as the Highway Authority, is legally required to maintain the public highway in a condition that is safe for all users. However, this duty does not extend to investigating or resolving issues related to traffic-induced noise or building vibrations caused by road users.

Structural Issues and Advice

Many structural problems in buildings are not related to the condition of the highway. They may arise from other causes such as:

• ground movement
• construction quality
• age-related wear

In such cases, we recommend that homeowners or their insurers consider commissioning a professional structural survey to assess the property.

Reporting Vibration Concerns

If you believe that vibrations affecting your property are directly linked to the condition of the highway and have supporting engineering evidence, please contact Harrow Council’s Insurance and Risk Team for further assistance. Their contact details are at the bottom of this page.

Council Approach to Vibration-Related Issues

To ensure a consistent and fair response, the Council categorises vibration-related concerns into three key areas:

(a) Traffic Calming Measures (Existing and Proposed)

• Existing Installations: We will inspect and, if necessary, repair traffic calming features. If the issue persists, the feature may be reviewed for modification or removal.
• New Schemes: Future traffic management proposals will consider potential vibration impacts and may explore alternative calming methods where appropriate.

(b) Highway Maintenance

• We will assess reported defects to determine if they contribute to significant vibration, particularly from heavy vehicles such as HGVs or buses.
• Minor defects may be addressed promptly.
• Major defects will be prioritised within our annual maintenance programme.
• If no significant issue is found, no further action will be taken.

(c) Utility Works and Reinstatements

• We will inspect trench reinstatements to determine if they are contributing to vibration.
• If defects are found and the reinstatement is within the warranty period, the responsible utility company will be required to carry out repairs.
• Outside the warranty period, the Council will assess the defect under standard highway maintenance procedures.