Traffic Noise

2.

Mr. William O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce traffic noise in urban areas; and if he will make a statement. [36459]

Mr. Watts
Further reductions in noise limits will be introduced for all new vehicles entering into service from 1 October 1996. Levels of noise from individual vehicles have already been dramatically reduced in the last 10 years so that 10 of today's heaviest lorries make no more noise than a single lorry in the early 1980s.