HL Deb 21 March 2001 vol 623 cc159-60WA
Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What, in their view, are the best ways of reducing noise caused by vehicles upon motorways and dual-carriageway trunk roads. [HL1213]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)

A wide variety of different measures are available to reduce the effect of road traffic noise and the most appropriate combination of measures will depend on the circumstances in each case. Options include quieter road surfaces, noise barriers, and in the case of new or improved roads, route alignment, landscaping and noise insulation. The Highways Agency considers all options as appropriate to the circumstances.

Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What surveys they have conducted since 1997 on ways of reducing noise from motorways and dual-carriageway trunk roads. [HL1214]

Lord Whitty

The Highways Agency is responsible for managing motorways and dual-carriageway trunk roads in England. The agency has undertaken surveys of traffic noise before and after the provision of noise mitigation measures at various locations since 1997. Surveys have included studies of a wide range of lower noise surfaces, and the effectiveness of noise absorptive, compared with reflective, barriers. A survey of the effectiveness of measures being provided under the ring-fenced budget is currently in progress.

Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance is given by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the best ways of reducing noise from motorways and dual-carriageway trunk roads. [HL1215]

Lord Whitty

The Highways Agency is responsible for managing motorways and dual-carriageway trunk roads in England. The agency has provided guidance on the use of lower noise surfaces and of noise barriers as methods of reducing traffic. This is published in theHighways Agency Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.

Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In which public inquiries held since 1990 have noise from motorways or dual-carriageway trunk roads been admitted in evidence. [HL1249]

Lord Whitty

Noise is an issue raised at most public inquiries for motorways and dual-carriageway trunk roads. For all major trunk roads schemes an Environmental Statement is prepared as evidence by the Highways Agency. This includes an assessment of noise impacts. The inquiry provides the opportunity for others to submit evidence on noise if they wish.