HC Deb 28 March 1979 vol 965 cc453-4
18. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will institute a review of the criteria for noise compensation during road constuction works.

Mr. Horam

I have arranged for this matter to be added to those which will be considered by the working party established by the Department to review the scope of the noise insulation regulations.

Mr. Whitehead

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. I am grateful to him also for coming to see an especially bad example in Derby. I move from the general to the particular. What hope can he give to my constituents in Spon-don who have been suffering from this noise for over a year without a penny piece of compensation?

Mr. Horam

My hon. Friend had discussed the matter with me. I have been to see those concerned, and I have now decided that insulation will be offered to four properties in Galway Avenue, six in Meath Avenue and in other properties comparably affected at the western end of the existing Borrowash bypass—a total of about 35 or 45 properties.

Mr. Rooker

Does my hon. Friend think there is a case for explaining to our constituents how noise shadow maps are constructed? They do not believe, because they do not see measurements taken, that the maps have been constructed effectively. The maps are constructed by computer. Is there not a case for more test readings so that those who are concerned can be convinced that the maps are accurate, or otherwise, as the case may be?

Mr. Horam

I know that my hon. Friend has great problems in this respect in his constituency. He has raised a number of matters with me on earlier occasions, and he has raised a valuable one today.