Transport for London (TfL) has heard concerns over overcrowding on platforms and noise from Central line trains so loud it could lead to hearing damage.

The issues were raised at an Epping Forest District Council scrutiny meeting.

Councillor Nigel Bedford warned of a risk of a serious accident happening at Stratford at the platform servicing Central line and Elizabeth line services after finding it difficult to access it in the afternoon.

He said: “TfL need to seriously look at the way they manage the people on the platform. There will be an accident there sooner or later.”

Jasmit Jabbal, community partnerships specialist at TfL, said: “ I appreciate it gets very busy.

“Stratford is one of the busiest Tube stations in the UK as a station due to numerous sorts of interchanges.

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“Obviously, we run under stringent health and safety checks to run a safe station.”

He added there were noise issues around Wanstead, Leyton and Stratford after concerns were raised about the noise of screeching.

He said TfL has tried putting more sleepers in and some sound buffering but anticipated that newly refurbished trains would be quieter. It came after concerns about the level of screeching.

Councillor Martin Morris said: “I was going to make the point about noise which I think is very excessive and I think it’s loud enough to cause hearing damage.

“I think it is a health and safety issue."

Mr Jabbal said: “We have to balance the amount of noise that goes up to the houses above us and the amount of noise that goes into the Tube network.

“We have a safety limit where it’s safe to ride on, but it’ll be naive and disingenuous of me to say it’s not loud.

“It does get very loud, and I have noticed it is louder when it’s emptier. But this is one of the issues we’re hoping that can be addressed when we get the new trains.”