Written question asked by Bill O'Brien (Labour) on Thursday, 22 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 July 1999. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 July 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what studies his Department has carried out to identify high and unreasonable noise levels in properties where motorways were built before 1988; and if he will make a statement. - Includes ref to 328 c50-1W.

Answer: Mr. Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has carried out to identify high and unreasonable noise levels in properties where motorways were built before 1988; and if he will make a statement. [93276] Ms Glenda Jackson: Following our announcement on 22 March 1999, Official Report, columns 50-51, of a ring-fenced budget for the Highways Agency to undertake noise mitigation measures in the most serious and pressing cases on existing roads, a large number of locations where concern has been expressed about noise have been assessed against the stated criteria. Detailed studies are now required to determine the feasibility of providing measures at locations meeting the criteria where there are no plans to provide a quieter road surface as part of routine maintenance operations.

Secondary information