Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 November 2005. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 28 November 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

A417/419

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) why the ministerial commitment to resurface noisy concrete surfaces in relation to the A417/419 Swindon to Gloucester road has been dropped; whether this was a uniform decision for all the roads listed in the original decision; and whether the Government will consider (a) new claims for blight from noise and (b) further remedial measures in relation to the A417/419;

Answer: Following detailed scrutiny of departmental and the Highways Agency's budgets, Ministers agreed that the resurfacing of roads ahead of a maintenance need, for noise alleviation reasons, would not be allocated funding. This was a uniform decision across the entire motorway and trunk road network in England and is now the position up to 2007–08.The Government cannot consider new claims for blight from noise as the noise assessments on which original blight claims were based, assumed a worst case and any noise insulation or compensation has already been provided on that basis.While the Highways Agency will continue to consider remedial measures, these will have to take their turn in the regional priorities for trunk road improvement schemes.The A417/A419 will be re-surfaced when maintenance need dictates and, if this is during the life of the DBFO contract, then the DBFO company will carry out the work and be responsible for the costs.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 32507; 440 c133-4W;440 c133-4W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: A417/419
Monday, 28 November 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Noise Roads Repairs and maintenance South West
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk