HC Deb 07 August 1980 vol 990 cc330-1W
Mr. Butcher

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to reduce the noise levels of motor cycles and other motor vehicles.

Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to reduce noise levels of motor cycles and other motor vehicles.

Mr. Fowler

I made regulations yesterday which will reduce the maximum permitted noise levels of most new motor vehicles first used in 1983. The new

VEHICLE NOISE—PERMITTED LIMITS
Vehicle category (for current limits) Current limits Vehicle category (for proposed limits) Proposed limits
dB(A) dB(A)
CARS … … … … … 84 80
GOODS VEHICLES
Less than 3.5 tonnes … … 85 81
Over 3.5 tonnes … … … 89 86
Over 12 tonnes and 200 horse-power 89 (92 permitted for EC Type Approved Vehicles) 88
BUSES
Less than 12 seats … … … 84 Less than 3.5 tonnes … … 81
More than 12 seats … … 89 Over 3.5 tonnes … … … 82
Over 3.5 tonnes and 200 horse-power 89 (92 permitted for EC Type Approved Vehicles) Over 3.5 tonnes and 200 horse-poser 85
MOTORCYCLES
Less than 50 cc … … … 77 Less than 80 cc … … … 78
50–125 cc … … … … 82 80–125 cc … … … … 80
Over 125 cc … … … 86* 125–350 cc … … … … 83
350–500 cc … … … … 85
Over 500 cc … … … 86
MOPEDS … … … … 77 73
AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS … … 89 Less than 90 horsepower … 89
Over 90 horsepower … … 92
* Because of differences in the test procedures some large motorcycles designed to meet 86 dB(A when tested to the current procedure would indicate +3 dB(A) when tested in accordance with the procedure in the new regulations.