§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now use the powers available to him under section 23 of the Land Compensation Act 1973 to provide noise barriers along roads opened before October 1969.
§ Mr. HoramThe Department's policy hitherto has been to provide noise barriers only in circumstances where they are a cost-effective alternative to the insulation of individual properties under the Noise Insulation Regulations 1973 and 1975. The effect of this has been to limit their provision to road schemes opened after 16 October 1969—this is, the date from which the regulations first took effect. Having reviewed this policy and the financial resources available we have decided to extend the provision of noise barriers in appropriate circumstances to older road schemes for which my right hon. Friend is the highway authority. The Department will apply the same criteria as are used for schemes opened after 16 October 1969. Barriers will be provided only where they offer an effective shield to an appreciable number of properties from traffic noise at or above the qualifying level for insulation under the regulations, and where the cost does not exceed the notional cost of individual insulation. Expenditure on noise barriers will continue to be met within the public expenditure limits approved for the roads programme.