§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish 427W the list of the responses he has received to the Government's announcement of new measures to help alleviate noise on motorways and trunk roads. [100177]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 30 November 1999]: The Government's announcement of the budget and the criteria on 22 March this year to deal with some of the most serious and pressing cases of traffic noise on existing trunk roads did not invite responses. However, as a result of the announcement a further 43 sites have been brought to our attention, of which 23 have been taken forward for further study.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had recently with(a) the European Commission and (b) other EU ministers with regard to a common system of road noise measurement, and methods of alleviating road noise. [100172]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 30 November 1999]: Although there have not been recent Ministerial discussions on these issues, my Department is co-operating in a number of EU initiatives on noise, including work to finalise a Directive which, for the first time, would specify standards and limits for the noise generated by tyres.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on levels of noise nuisance to nearby residents which are caused by noise emanating from nearby motorways and trunk roads. [100216]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 30 November 1999]: The Highways Agency is currently undertaking detailed studies at a considerable number of locations with a view to identifying appropriate measures to reduce excessive levels of noise at nearby properties. The results of these studies are not yet available.