HC Deb 20 June 1995 vol 262 cc156-7W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department takes to monitor noise levels faced by residential properties located near to motorways. [28166]

Mr. Watts

This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 20 June 1995: As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts MP, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the question of monitoring of noise levels faced by residential properties located near to motorways. No routine monitoring of noise levels adjacent to trunk roads or motorways is undertaken, there being no requirement on the Highways Agency to do so.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sections of the British motorway network where noise levels exceed 68 db (A) at the facade of adjacent residential properties of which an increase of at least 1 db(A) is attributable to traffic on the new or improved motorway. [28167]

Mr. Watts

This is an operational matter' for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 20 June 1995: As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts MP, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question requesting a list of the sections of the British motorway network where noise levels exceed 68 db(A) at the facade of residential properties of which an increase of at least 1 db(A) is attributable to traffic on the new or improved motorway. The Highways Agency is only responsible for motorways in England. I cannot therefore comment on motorways in the other parts of the United Kingdom. The Noise Insulation Regulations require an offer of insulation or grant to owners of residential properties which qualify in accordance with the criteria you have quoted within six months of a new or improved road being open to traffic, but statistics of such offers are not collected centrally.

Forward to