HL Deb 27 January 1986 vol 470 cc531-2WA
Lord Mancroft

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that local authorities have sufficient powers to deal with the damage being caused by the vibration and pollution of heavy vehicles to buildings of national importance, or whether they consider that the problem ought to be dealt with on a national basis.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)

The scale of such damage does not on present evidence represent a national problem. However, the Transport and Road Research Laboratory is carrying out a programme of research into the effects on buildings of traffic-induced vibration. This will include consideration of heritage buildings.

Secretaries of State and local authorities already have powers, for roads within their responsibility, to take action as follows to deal with problems associated with traffic-induced vibration and pollution:

  1. (i) traffic regulation, including prohibition of classes of vehicles or all vehicles from the streets adjacent to sensitive buildings;
  2. (ii) traffic management schemes which encourage heavy vehicles away from critical streets;
  3. (iii) maintenance of a smooth carriageway surface and adequate carriageway foundation layers;
  4. (iv) reconstruction of carriageways or adjusting carriageway alignments;
  5. (v) building new roads and by-passes.

In addition local authorities and the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission may give grants towards repair and safeguarding of individual listed buildings.

No need is currently seen for additional powers to deal with problems of this nature.