Some Tube drivers are planning to reduce the speed of their trains in protest at "extreme noise levels" they say they are exposed to on the Underground. Members of the RMT union have voted to take the industrial action after noise levels increased in recent weeks.

London Underground drivers will drive trains slower in protest against ‘extreme noise levels’. Passengers will be familiar with the sound of wheels screeching against rails, forcing some to cover their ears while travelling on the Victoria, Central, Northern and Jubilee lines.

Although most of the Vicky line is automated, drivers control the speed of the train coming in and out of the depot. Even a small reduction in the speed of one train could cause knock-on impacts along the line and make it impossible for the Victoria line to achieve the peak hour frequency of 36 trains an hour.

Transport for London has spent almost £30m trying to combat Tube noise in the last five years, including on “grinding” the rails to try to remove bumps and abrasions. Passengers have complained about excessive noise – while residents living near stations have reported disturbance.

A video shared on social media shows the moment that two London Underground trains appear to be ‘racing’. The video reportedly shows trains being driven between Hammersmith and Acton Town stations.

London Underground Tube drivers will deliberately reduce speeds to below 50mph to protest against 'extreme noise levels' of trains.