§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 18 May,Official Report, column 348, relating to motorway noise in how many cases the actual growth in traffic has exceeded the anticipated traffic growth as projected by his Department in estimating future noise levels; and what steps his Department takes to correct inaccurate predictions about predicted traffic levels and noise levels. [28168]
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 20 June 19951: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency.
445WI have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 26 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 asking in how many cases the actual growth in traffic has exceeded the anticipated traffic growth as projected by the Department in estimating future noise levels and what steps are taken to correct inaccurate predicted traffic levels and noise levels.Comparisons are not made between the anticipated and actual growth in traffic used for noise level prediction. This is because entitlements to noise insulation are assessed in the light of actual conditions pertaining at the time the scheme is first open to traffic, on the basis of the best estimate of traffic available. A map showing eligible properties is published within six months of opening and offers of noise insulation must be accepted within a year of opening. The Noise Insulation Regulations require the noise calculations to be reviewed in individual cases on appeal, again within the first year.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of producing and distributing the brochure "Transport: The Way Ahead", speeches by the Secretary of State for Transport.
§ Dr. MawhinneyI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) on 22 June.