HC Deb 01 November 1995 vol 265 c316W
Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment last met; and what plans have been made for the future work programme of the committee. [40500]

Mr. Watts

The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment last met in May 1994. No decisions have yet been taken on the committee's future work programme.

Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration will be given to including within the work programme of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment the assessment of the impact of noise from highways and the justification for various means of ameliorating this nuisance. [40498]

Mr. Watts

In 1989 the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment was asked to review the Department of Transport's methods for assessing environmental costs and benefits, including the impact of noise. The committee's report, "Assessing the Environmental Impact of Road Schemes", and the Government's response were published in March 1992. Subsequently, the Department's guidance on the assessment of environmental impacts has been updated—volume 11 of the design manual for roads and bridges. Also research is on-going into the valuation of nuisance, including noise, in the home, due to road traffic.

I have no plans currently to ask SACTRA to revisit this issue.