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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions;Highways Agency

Answer

Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department has issued in respect of the use of whisper concrete or asphalt for road construction and resurfacing projects in (a) rural areas and (b) urban areas; and if he will make a statement. [91913] Ms Glenda Jackson: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend. Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Peter Pike, dated 22 July 1999: The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your recent question about guidance issued in respect of the use of whisper concrete or asphalt for road construction and resurfacing projects in either rural areas or in urban areas. Guidance on the use of both whisper concrete and asphalt for use in trunk road construction and maintenance is contained in two separate publications. General guidance over surfacing alternatives is given in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 7, HD 36/99. While specifications for these materials is included in the Manual of Contract Documents, Volume 1 and 2. No distinction is made between their use in rural and urban areas as the choice of surfacing is based on the particular requirements for each road. Both documents are published and available in the House of Commons library. If you require further information I suggest that you contact the Agency's Group Manager responsible for road surfacing, Graham Bowskill. He can be contacted on 0171 921 4746 and is familiar with both whisper concrete and asphalt road surfaces.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

91913; 335 c593W;335 c595W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Codes of practice Construction Noise Materials Roads Rural areas Urban areas Concrete Bitumens