§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the trunk road network has been(a) re-surfaced and (b) re-surfaced with lower noise surfacing in each of the last three years. [155070]
§ Mr. DarlingGovernment policy is to encourage the implementation of technologies that reduce the noise arising from road traffic wherever these are cost effective and do not have adverse consequences on safety. Categorisation of sites for low noise surfacing is primarily based on maintenance need. In addition, we have criteria for categorisation for noise reduction of roads with concrete surfaces. We announced these criteria on 17 October 2001; they are:
- 1. that wherever possible the application of quieter surfaces will fit in with normal maintenance needs;
- 2. that priority will be given to those sites where treatment would benefit the greatest number of people;
- 3. that the works will be carried out in such a way as to minimise disruption to general public and users of the network;
- 4. that priority will be given to roads, opened since June 1988, where actual noise levels have turned out to be significantly higher than predicted at the time of Public Inquiry.
Priority is given to road surfaces that are deteriorating and to locations where road safety is an issue. Where the resurfacing is specifically for noise reduction purposes priority will be given to those cases in which the actual noise levels exceed those predicted by at least three decibels, or where more than 100 properties per kilometre are affected by excess noise.
During 2000–01 4.3 per cent. of the Highways Agency's core network was resurfaced including 3.5 per cent. with quieter surfacing. During 2001–02 the figures were 4.2 per cent. and 3.8 per cent. respectively, and in 2002–03 5.5 per cent. and 5.0 per cent. respectively. In the current year, 2003–04, the Highways Agency estimate these figures will be 5.0 per cent. and 4.6 per cent. respectively.