§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to reduce noise levels emanating from newly constructed major roads with concrete surfaces.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIt is the Department's policy to take noise protection measures where traffic on newly constructed roads, whether concrete or bituminous, causes noise to rise above specified levels. Local highway authorities act similarly. Studies by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory show that concrete and bituminous road surfaces result in similar noise levels when textured to provide similar skidding resistance.