§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what inquiries he is undertaking into the efficacy of new sound-baffling techniques now used in other EC countries.
§ Mr. ChopeThree avenues of inquiry are being followed. The Transport and Road Research Laboratory is investigating the acoustic performance of novel noise barriers. Consultants are preparing a design guide for new types of environmental barrier informed by an earlier extensive study of continental noise barriers. Officials from my Department are contributing to the development of a European standard on anti-noise devices including noise barriers.