§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 29 November,Official Report, column 417, if highway authorities are 104W empowered to fund the construction of noise barriers on existing motorways and trunk roads built (a) before and (b) after 17 October 1969. [8265]
§ Mr Watts[holding answer 9 December 1996]: Yes. Section 282 of the Highways Act 1980 empowers highway authorities to fund noise barriers on motorways and trunk roads built before and after 17 October 1969. The use of this power is discretionary, and there is no obligation on highway authorities to fund the construction of noise barriers.