Metro Noise: Woluwe-Saint-Lambert Wins Court Victory
The Brussels municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert has secured a landmark provisional court victory against STIB, the capital’s public transport operator, over excessive noise and vibrations caused by defective M7 metro trains. The Court of the Peace has ordered STIB to significantly restrict the circulation of problematic trains during nighttime and weekend hours, pending a final judgment expected in the second quarter of 2027.
The Ruling
Under the provisional measures agreed before the judge and reported by RTBF, M7 trains identified as causing nuisances on metro line 1 (between Montgomery and Stockel stations) cannot operate between 22:00 and 06:00 on weekdays, nor from Friday 22:00 to Monday 06:00. Exceptions are permitted only in cases of absolute necessity, which must be duly justified and documented at STIB’s own expense.
The measures remain in effect until 30 September 2026. STIB must also submit a detailed report every two weeks detailing train movements during exclusion periods, any derogations granted, technical intervention progress, and rail grinding operations, according to the municipal authority.
A Long-Running Dispute
The conflict dates back to 2021, when STIB introduced new M7 metro trains manufactured by Spanish company CAF. Residents along metro line 1 — particularly on Avenues de Broqueville, Paul Hymans, and Vandervelde — immediately reported a sharp increase in noise and vibrations. The root cause, as STIB later acknowledged, was a manufacturing defect causing the train wheels to wear unevenly and become oval-shaped (“ovalisation”), generating excessive vibrations transmitted through the ground into nearby buildings.
In May 2024, the municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, together with 27 residents, filed a lawsuit against STIB for excessive neighborhood disturbance, as previously reported. Woluwe-Saint-Pierre later joined the action. An expert report finalized in December 2025 confirmed that noise and vibration thresholds were being exceeded, and a subsequent conciliation attempt failed.
Residents Speak Out
For residents, the impact has been severe. “Sometimes, when I’m in my bed, I’m woken up by noises and vibrations. And that’s from 5am,” one resident told La Libre. Another described the constant disturbance: “A dull noise, yes, and vibrations. When I put my hand on the table, I feel the metro. Before 2021, there was almost nothing.” Some residents have reported cracks in their walls and expressed concerns about declining property values.
Political Response
Mobility Alderman Gregory Matgen welcomed the ruling as a breakthrough. “This is a first relief for residents, but it is not the end of our fight,” he said. “We will be particularly attentive to the full respect of the commitments made by STIB and we will continue our efforts until a definitive solution puts an end to these nuisances.”
The case also exposed a regulatory gap. A 2004 environmental convention between the Brussels Region and STIB sets noise and vibration standards, but it only encourages compliance rather than imposing legally binding constraints. The municipality had previously asked Environment Minister Alain Maron to legislate on the matter, but he declined, citing the complexity of the issue.
Broader Implications
This ruling is the first time a Brussels court has imposed concrete operational restrictions on STIB due to noise and vibration pollution, establishing that residents’ right to quiet enjoyment of their property can take precedence over public transport operations, at least on a provisional basis.
STIB has implemented several mitigation measures, including more frequent rail grinding, quicker repair of defective wheels, and a gradual replacement program for the faulty wheel bands — expected to continue through 2026. The operator is also pursuing a commercial dispute with CAF to hold the Spanish manufacturer financially responsible for the defective wheels, as Brussels Today reported.
What’s Next
The provisional measures are set to expire on 30 September 2026, though they may be extended. The final judgment on the merits of the case is expected in Q2 2027. Until then, residents and municipal authorities say they will remain vigilant, monitoring STIB’s compliance with the court-ordered restrictions and pushing for a permanent solution to the noise that has disrupted their daily lives for over five years.