§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to use porous asphalt on the areas of the M4, between junctions 5 and 8, which are being resurfaced. [10193]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the use of porous asphalt for resurfacing a section of the M4 between junctions 5 and 8.Resurfacing of the M4 between junctions 5 and 8 is being undertaken using a conventional hot rolled asphalt surface similar to that originally laid on this section of motorway,There are statutory obligations which require the Highways Agency to provide noise attenuation measures but these relate only to new or substantially altered roads. Maintenance can only be undertaken in the most cost effective way. Although I recognise that porous asphalt surfacing does cut down the noise generated by vehicle tyres it is significantly more expensive to provide, requires special highway drainage, costs more to maintain and has a shorter life than hot rolled asphalt.Porous asphalt was not therefore considered suitable as a replacement for the existing surface for the M4.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it is his policy to use major works on motorways to reduce the impact of motorway noise on nearby homes. [10183]
§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the use of major works on motorways to reduce the impact of motorway noise on nearby homes.There is a statutory requirement to consider the impact of noise on nearby homes only in the case of works involving the construction of a new road or of improvements which alter the line or level of an existing road. It is Departmental policy to regard this as covering the widening of motorways. In such cases, the scheme will include appropriate measures designed to mitigate noise and other environmental impacts. In the case of other roadworks such as minor improvements and structural maintenance which have no subsequent effect on the position of traffic relative to adjacent properties there is no requirement for such impacts to be reviewed.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he encourages the use of porous asphalt to reduce noise pollution near motorways. [10184]
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§ Mr. WattsI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 22 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the use of porous asphalt to reduce noise near motorways.The Highways Agency has developed with industry a general specification to permit the use of porous asphalt. Its adoption is encouraged where conditions are suitable and where the benefits can be shown to outweigh the higher costs associated with its use.