Railways and Metro (surface tracks option) have a noise and electromagnetic effects on the environment. The optimal distance from railroad tracks to dwelling houses (borders of the discomfort zone for housing) is 100 m / 328 feet for ground position of tracks; 50 m / 164 feet for tracks in excavation; 150 m / 492 feet for tracks on embankments or viaducts. In some countries this distance approved by State Construction Norms and Regulations. Most part of the Tyne and Wear Metro has surface tracks. In some areas existing dwelling houses (19-21 centuries buildings) are located in the zone of discomfort. Sections length of existing dwelling houses in noise discomfort zones: Jesmond - South Gosforth - 5,07 km / 3,14 mi; South Gosforth - Airport - 5,65 km / 3,50 mi; South Gosforth - North Shields - 17,87 km / 11,08 mi; Manors - North Shields - 9,60 km / 5,95 mi; South Shields - Pelaw - 7,85 km / 4,87 mi; Central Station - Pelaw - 2,39 km / 1,48 mi; Pelaw - South Hylton - 12,40 km / 7,69 mi; Total - 60,83 km / 37,71 mi. Approximately 0,95 million square yards - the Total area of dwelling houses in those uncomfortable zones. Located in an uncomfortable zone does not meet modern standards of housing quality. This dramatically reduces the investment attractiveness of residential buildings. The construction of sound barriers or changing features of houses are not the best solution. The optimal solution to this problem - the reconstruction of the Tyne and Wear Metro network for tunnel position of all tracks.
This photo was taken in: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear