§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement concerning potential similar cases arising from building the A46–47 link road and the eastern district distribution road in Leicester following the recent Court of Appeal decision to allow Colonel David Owen full compensation for the noise blight which has devalued his home; and what assessment he has made of the effects of potential claims for blight and the rise in costs on the continued viability of the A46–A47 link road and the EDDR.
§ Mr. WattsThe right to compensation where an interest in land is depreciated by noise from the use of a new or improved highway is set out in part 1 of the Land Compensation Act 1973. In addition section 246 of the Highways Act 1980 provides highway authorities with a discretionary power to acquire by agreement land to mitigate the adverse effects of constructing or improving a highway.
The A46–A47 link road and the EDDR are roads for which Leicestershire county council is the highway authority. I am advised that the county council does not exercise its discretionary powers in respect of the purchase of properties. Information about the cost of these local road schemes can be obtained from the county council.