§ Mr. DunnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the policy of his Department with regard to acceptable noise standards in areas adjacent to major new rail and road projects; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he will accept the noise standard of 65 dba for compensation purposes for the Docklands Railway Extension Bill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloNoise insulation standards for new road schemes are laid down in the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975, made under part II of the Land Compensation Act 1973. Because major new rail schemes have been comparatively rare, no regulations have ever been made laying down noise insulation standards for such schemes. However. I am now setting in hand the work necessary to establish a national noise insulation standard for new railway construction. The objective will be to establish the standard at a level which equitably relates to the standard set by regulation for new highways.
In connection with their proposal for a new rail link to the Channel tunnel, British Rail is offering to provide noise insulation on a similar basis to the scheme which operates in respect of new roads if noise resulting from the new link exceeds 70 dB(A) on the 24 hour Leq noise index. BR consider, on the basis of advice from independent experts, that this level is equivalent to the level at which insulation is provided for properties affected by new road schemes. LRT have also taken independent expert advice and share this view.
Before promulgating any national standards for railway noise, the Government would wish to take its own independent view, and consult other interested parties on the appropriate standard to be adopted. We are therefore not yet in a position to take a view on the appropriateness of any particular noise standard, including that now proposed for the Docklands railway extension.