(a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05; [108980]

(3) what percentage of the money allocated for noise reduction work on the motorway network for 2002–03 was spent; [108979]

(4) what criteria are used for selecting which roads should be resurfaced for noise reduction. [108981]

Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Oaten, dated 14 April 2003:

David Jamieson has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about noise reduction measures on the trunk road and motorway network.

In 2002–03, the Agency spent £5.9 million on noise mitigation measures such as noise barriers on trunk roads and motorways, against a ring fenced annual budget of £5 million. In addition, it is our policy to use low-noise surfacing whenever a road surface needs renewing. In 2002–03, £235 million was spent on resurfacing trunk roads and motorways, two per cent. above the budget for this work.

For 2003–04, the allocation for resurfacing concrete trunk roads and motorways is £52 million. The programme for 2004–05 currently still under development. We shall be resurfacing the highest priority sections of concrete road ahead of maintenance need, in order to reduce traffic noise.

Following consultation with local highways authorities and others, the following criteria were announced on 17 October 2001 for prioritising the surfacing of concrete roads with quieter material:

These criteria have been used to prioritise the list of schemes announced on 1 April. The main determinants of priority are the number of properties affected (proxy for criterion ii) and for newer roads, the increase in noise levels above those predicted at public inquiry (criterion iv). The high priority group is defined by sections of road which affect more than 100 properties per km or for which the current noise level is at least 3 dB(A) greater than predicted at public inquiry (an increase of 3 dB(A) is equivalent to the noise increase expected from a doubling of the volume of traffic on a road). The medium priority group is defined by sections of road which affect more than 10 properties per km or for which the current noise level is 1 dB(A) greater than predicted at public inquiry, which equates to a noticeable noise increase.

It is expected that the sections indicated as having a high priority will be completed by the end of March 2007, subject to funding being available. We expect to resurface sections of road in the medium or low priority groups between April 2007 and March 2011, subject to funding being available. Where there is an identified maintenance need, some of the medium or low priority sections may be resurfaced earlier, for road safety reasons.

If you need any further information, please contact Martin Steward at the Highways Agency, Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1BL telephone number 0121 678 8324.