§ Miss HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are proposed to mitigate noise levels along the rail link from Waterloo station to the channel tunnel. [2952]
§ Mr. WattsThere is no statutory requirement for railway operators to provide noise mitigation on existing railway lines. However, a number of voluntary, jointly funded noise mitigation schemes have been agreed between Railtrack and several London boroughs and local authorities in the south-east. Under these schemes, acoustic barriers, and in some cases secondary glazing, have been installed at certain locations worst affected by noise from existing lines to the channel tunnel. The Government have encouraged and supported these schemes by allocating supplementary credit approvals to the local authorities concerned.
As far as the new channel tunnel rail link is concerned, noise mitigation proposals were set out in the environmental statement that accompanied the CTRL Bill on introduction. Mitigation, at source, rather than relying simply on noise insulation of affected properties, will be provided in connection with the new works—the CTRL itself and the reinstated Gravesend west line. These 67W proposals will be further developed during the detailed design of the project and will be subject to approval by the local planning authorities along the route of the CTRL.