§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed EU directives on noise levels, with particular reference to traffic noise. [5458]
§ Mr. JamiesonAn amending directive to Directive 92/23/EEC aimed at limiting the noise from new vehicle tyres has recently been adopted by the European Council and the European Parliament and will appear in theOfficial Journal of the European Communities imminently. Studies have shown that noise generated at the tyre-road interface is a significant environmental nuisance that, as a contributor to total vehicle noise and, hence, traffic noise, becomes more significant as vehicle speed increases. The directive will apply limits to the permitted noise of tyres that are fitted to new vehicle types entering into service from 2004. In addition it will require most new tyres sold in the replacement market to comply from 2009.
The European Commission also proposed a directive in July 2000 on the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise. The main sources of noise to which this directive relates are transport and industry. The copy of the draft directive primarily covers noise in built up areas, in public parks or other quiet areas within built up areas and in quiet areas in open country. The proposed directive would require mapping of the principle sources of noise to provide information to the public and the European Commission, and the drawing up of action plans aimed at preventing and reducing undesirable levels of environmental noise.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on proposals to alleviate noise from the M5 at Upton St Leonards. [5459]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. David Drew, dated 20 July 2001:
The Transport Minister, David Jamieson, has asked me to reply to your recent question about proposals to alleviate noise from the M5 at Upton St Leonards.545WFollowing the installation of a quieter surface on the M5 motorway at Upton St Leonards in February 2000, we have been carrying out detailed noise studies to ascertain the noise levels and the extent of the problem. This work is near completion and a report is expected shortly. The findings will allow us to consider the problem in more detail and look at possible remedial measures.