Road Schemes (Hansard, 11 November 1999)

§ Mr Hill

The criteria for taking forward studies in greater depth of locations where concerns had been expressed about levels of noise are as stated in the answer to my hon. Friend's question on 22 March 1999,Official Report, columns 50–51. The timing of the studies is an operational matter for the Highways Agency and I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Jonathan Shaw, dated 11 November 1999: You recently asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which road schemes satisfied the initial sift criteria announced on 22 March and for clarification of the criteria for undertaking the study in greater depth to determine whether practicable and cost-effective mitigation can be provided for road schemes that meet the initial sift criteria and the timescale for these studies. The criteria for undertaking detailed studies are as announced to Parliament on 22 March. The majority of studies are expected to be completed by the end of this year. In cases where a road surface has recently been or is about to be replaced in order to meet an operational need, we use a quieter surface wherever possible, which normally provides substantial relief of the problem. In these cases, detailed studies have been deferred for three years in order to better target the available resources. The attached list shows the locations where previous concerns about noise had been expressed which were found to satisfy the criteria announced on 22 March. Locations where studies have been deferred because of the use of quiet surfacing have been marked with an asterisk. I trust that this information is helpful, although I must point out that the order of appearance of a location on the list does not in any way indicate its priority nor imply that mitigation measures will be provided in every case following the detailed studies.

Composite list of sites meeting the criteria for further detailed study

A1(M), Doncaster BP Wadworth-Warmsworth
A1, Walshford, North of Wetherby
A12, Boreham
A12, Ingatestone
A14 Exning
A14 Bury St Edmunds
A19, Castle Eden, Durham
A27, Portsbridge, Hants
A3(M) Horndean/A3 Clanfield, Hants
A34, Kingsworthy Link, Hants
A34, Hinkseys/Botley Oxford
A4, Great West Road, Chiswick
A40 Whitchurch Hereford & Worcs
A404(M), Maidenhead, Berks
A404, Marlow Bypass, Berks
A46, Sherbourne, Warwicks
A52, Spondon
M1 Jct 10–11 Luton, Beds
M1 near J25
M1, Jct 33–34, Brinsworth (Rotherham)
M1, Jct 33–34, Tinsley (Rotherham)
M20, Jcts 2–3, Wrotham, Kent
M25 West of Jct 5, Westerham, Kent
M27, Jct 1–2, Copythorne
M27, Jct 3, Nursling
M27, Jct 3–4, Rownhams
M27, Jct 4, Chilworth
M27, Jct 5–7, Swathling/West End
M3, Jct 4–4A, Farnborough Street/Hawley
M42 Jct 1, Lickey End
M50 Bromsberrow Heath, Hereford & Worcs
M6, Jct 26–27, Orrell
M6, Ash Green, Warwicks
M60, Jct 12–13, Worsley
M60, Jct 13–14, Swinton
M602, Jct 1–2, Eccles
M62, Jcts 30–31 Altofts, West Yorkshire
M1 Jct 5–6 Watford, Herts
M3, Jct 5–7 Basingstoke
M56, Jct 11–12, Preston Brook
A1 Wideopen, Tyne & Wear
A1 Long Bennington, Lincs
A14 Exning
A14 Bury St Edmunds
A19, Billingham BP, Cleveland
A3 Ripley, Surrey
A3, Hook Underpass, LB Kingston
A31 Ringwood, Hants
A406, South Woodford (Waterworks-M11)
A52 Clifton, Notts
A627(M), Chadderton
M1 Jct 11–12 Luton
M1 near J28
M25 Clacket Lane, Kent
M25 Godstone, Surrey
M25 Oxsted, Surrey
M3 Camberley, Berks
M3 Winchester
M6 South of Jct42
M6, Jcts 8–9
M6, Jct 34–35 Carnforth
M61, Jct 5–6, Lostock Nr Bolton
M62, Jct 18–19, Heywood
M3 Basingstoke
M3 Dummer, Hants
M4, Jct 5–6 Datchet, Brands Hill
M4, Jct 6–7 Chalvey, Lake End
M4, Jct 7–8/9 Holyport/Bray, Dorney Reach
A1 Tuxford, Lincs^*
M6, Jct 18, Holmes Chapel^*
A12, Stanway Bypass, Essex^*
A14, Huntingdon Bypass, Northants^*
A3, Malden Underpass/Malden Way^*
A3, Tolworth Underpass/Tolworth Rise^*
A46, Kenilworth BP, Warwicks^*
M20, Jcts 4–5, Ditton, Kent^*
M20, Jcts 10–11, Ashford, Kent^*
M5, Upton St. Leonards, Nr Gloucester
M53, Jct 4–5, Wirrall^*
M6 Lune Bridge Lancs^*
M6, Jct 33–34 Lancaster^*.