§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received about noise from the M20 through Ashford; and if he will make a statement. [58356]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 5 November 1998]: Since the Roads Review was announced in July 1998 we have received 65 representations and one petition containing over 50 signatures about traffic noise from the M20 within the District of Ashford (between Charing and Brabourne Lees).
We recognise that traffic noise is a major source of concern to people. This is why in "A New Deal for Trunk Road in England" we announced that low noise surfaces would be used when roads are built or, where appropriate in those areas where noise is a particular concern, when they undergo major maintenance. I understand the Highways Agency plan to carry out technical surveys between Junctions 9 and 11 on the M20 later this year, which should determine the condition of the road surface and establish whether it should be included in the Agency's programme of future maintenance work.
We also announced our intention, where re-surfacing cannot be justified on normal maintenance grounds, to establish a revised noise criteria and ring-fenced annual budget to enable the Highways Agency, over a reasonable period of time, to deal with some of the most serious and pressing cases.