§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the environmental measures taken to protect residents when trunk roads have been constructed or updated in urban areas since 1979.
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§ Mr. AtkinsMeasures to mitigate the impact of a new or improved road, and to enhance road safety, form an integral part of our planning and design. Each scheme is considered separately, and there is a wide range of possible measures appropriate in different circumstances. We aim to improve on our existing good practice in minimising the impact of new roads.
Local residents are consulted on route proposals at an early stage. Increased use of discretionary powers to provide noise insulation to dwellings was announced earlier this year.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sections of trunk roads passing through urban areas have been constructed or updated in the west midlands since 1979; and if he will give the daily flow of(a) cars, (b) vans and light lorries and (c) heavy long distance lorries for the sections of these trunk roads which have (i) the heaviest and (ii) the lightest flow of traffic.
§ Mr. AtkinsThere has been no major new on-line construction or other significant updating of trunk roads in urban areas of the west midlands since 1979. Small-scale new works and improvements to ease congestion or improve road safety are too numerous to list in detail.