§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department gives to minimising noise pollution when selecting the type of surfacing for a motorway under construction or repair. [22125]
§ Mr. WattsThis is a operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked its chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
352WLetter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 9 May 1995:
As you know, the Minister of Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what consideration his Department gives to minimising noise pollution when selecting the type of surfacing for a motorway under construction or repair.The permitted alternatives for the surfacing of motorway construction schemes are constrained where noise is a matter of concern. Concrete surfaces are not currently used where traffic is expected to exceed 75,000 vehicles per day, although quieter concrete surfaces are undergoing trials. In particular sensitive situations, porous asphalt may be specified as a noise mitigation measure when the additional cost of construction and maintenance are considered to be justified. But porous asphalt is not technically suitable for use in all cases.It is not the Agency's policy to apply mitigation to existing roads.