§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance is available for the purposes of insulating homes against excessive noise in the vicinity of(a) motorways, (b) heavily trafficked roads, (c) civil airports; and in each case at what level of noise the assistance is made available.
§ Mr. ChopeSecondary glazing or grant is made available in England and Wales under the Noise Insulation Regulations (1975–88) in respect of eligible dwellings affected by new or altered roads but not for unaltered roads. For new roads the noise criterion is that the estimated noise level, within 15 years after road opening, will be at least 68 decibels on the A-weighted L10 (18 hour) scale. Similar provisions apply on a discretionary basis for altered roads.
There is a statutory requirement for the principal London airports to provide sound insulation to surrounding homes within a specified boundary—equivalent to the provision for roads. Elsewhere insulation is discretionary but all the major airports (which are largely owned by local authorities) run similar schemes.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic noise surveys have been carried out by his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will give details of the results of such surveys.
§ Mr. ChopeNoise surveys carried out by my Department in the last five years, commencing 1 April 1986, in association with road proposals, are estimated as follows:
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Number 1986–87 47 1987–88 49 1988–89 41 1989–90 40 1990–91 47 The surveys are generally carried out in order to plan the optimum scheme design, at reasonable cost, to avoid unnecessary environmental impact and, specifically, to ascertain those properties that will be eligible for noise insulation or grant. Those properties eligible in accordance with the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975/88 are notified individually, publicly displayed, and appeals against ineligibility are invited.