HC Deb 18 June 1984 vol 62 cc12-3W
21. Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates have been made by his Department of the cost of vibration damage to buildings and services caused by heavy lorries.

Mr. Ridley

No such estimates have been made. As the report of the independent Armitage inquiry acknowledged, the most authoritative research to date has shown that the levels of vibration generated by traffic, including heavy lorries, are too low in themselves directly to cause damage to buildings. Research also suggests that the effects of heavy lorry traffic on buried services are marginal. However, because of continuing concern about this subject, I have decided to commission new research to establish whether there is any correlation between damage to buildings and the level of traffic induced vibration. Further research into the effects of traffic on buried services is also planned.