HC Deb 21 May 1990 vol 173 cc2-3W
Mr. Latham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will specify the exact place where the measuring equipment was put within the curtilage of Arnold Lodge, Belvoir road, Bottesford, when his departmental survey into noise from the A52 trunk road was carried out in May 1989.

Mr. Atkins

The microphone was 1.0m horizontally from the face of the building, approximately midway along the south-facing side, and 1.2m above ground level.

Mr. Latham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what specific date or dates the survey was carried out for his Department in May 1989 on noise arising from the A52 trunk road by-pass around Bottesford, Leicestershire; and what set of measuring equipment was used in each case.

Mr. Atkins

The noise survey was carried out between 8 and 23 May 1989. A CEL 162L environmental noise analyser was used throughout.

Mr. Latham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what means his departmental survey of noise from the A52 bypass around Bottesford differentiated between(a) noise arising from the concrete surface of the road, (b) engine noise and (c) overall air displacement by traffic movement; and what allowances were made for variations in the direction of the prevailing wind.

Mr. Atkins

The survey did not differentiate between engine noise, noise from the road surface and air displacement. It measured actual noise levels. Wind conditions were monitored during the survey. Surveys were abandoned and repeated when wind conditions were outside those specified in "Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (1988)".

Mr. Latham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his officials at the regional office in Nottingham intend to reply to the letter sent to them on 12 March by Mr. Colin Love of Arnold Lodge, Belvoir road, Bottesford, relating to the noise survey of the A52 road.

Mr. Atkins

My hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham) wrote to me on 28 February with a similar letter from his constituent, Mr. Love. I met my hon. Friend on 27 March to discuss noise from Bottesford bypass and agreed to write to him about whether any further action could be taken. The regional office did not reply to Mr. Love pending this exchange, but will respond shortly.