Noise from Roads
On 15th Feb 2012 Andrew Cormie sent the following to the Highways Agency and copied to Borough and Bray Parish Councillors
Dear Sir / Madam,
Is there any possibility of making the road surface quieter in the aforementioned stretch, especially as it approaches J 8/9 from the East North East?
Also, I have read (see below) that solar panels will be installed beside the M40, to protect residents from noise and at the same time to generate electricity. Is there any possibility that this approach could be taken? Can you liaise with Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) councillors on this?
See http://www.evoenergy.co.uk/blog/11658/solar-panel-noise-barriers-for-buckingham/
and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-19717566
and http://www.m40-chilterns.org.uk/docs/tetsworth-newsletter-april2012.pdf
and http://www.m40-chilterns.org.uk/
Some years ago, you installed noise shielding in the Holyport area, but as I pointed out at the time it does not extend far enough.
In my location on the South East side of Holyport Road, when the wind is blowing from the North East we even get major noise at the back of our houses, as it blows the noise along the motorway as it approaches J 8/9 from the East North East.
In the houses immediately near the motorway at the A308, the situation is even worse.
By copy of this to RBWM and Bray Parish Councillors, I ask that serious consideration be given to the solar panel sound barrier system.
Sincerely,
Andrew Cormie
Reply received from Highways Agency / Enterprise Mouchel 26 Feb 2013
Dear Mr Cormie,
Thank you for contacting the Highways Agency Information Line. Your enquiry has been forwarded to EnterpriseMouchel, as we are the Managing Agents on behalf of the Agency and we are responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the M4.
Unfortunately there are no plans to undertake major resurfacing of the M4 around the Junction 8/9 area; within our current forward programme. Resurfacing is only undertaken when there is a maintenance requirement to do so such as surface deterioration, rutting or cracking. Resurfacing is not undertaken for noise reasons alone; however we do use a lower noise material for all our resurfacing works which is typically quieter than the existing asphalt surface materials.
We have liaised with Buffalo Acoustic Barriers and Gramm Fencing, who are the main suppliers of acoustic barriers on our network, we can confirm that there are no acoustic barriers within our region that are capable of collecting light for use as energy. Both companies confirmed that they are unaware of an acoustic barrier that has had a solar panel applied to it to allow for this function.
However, both companies felt that it would be possible to apply a solar panel to an acoustic barrier in order to generate electricity whilst mitigating noise. The Agency are not planning to apply solar panels to the first priority or important area sites, within our network. If this innovation was progressed a feasibility study would need to be undertaken to determine that an acoustic barrier could support solar panels, without creating wind-loading issues or decreasing acoustic capabilities.
In summary there are no plans to install barriers along the M4 near your property that will have solar panels attached.
Should you have any additional questions regarding this query please do not hesitate to contact me at area3hailenquiries@enterprisemouchel.com
We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to answer a short questionnaire to help us review and improve our services.
Yours sincerely
Aaron Noonan
Andrew Cormie response on 26 Feb 2013
Dear Mr Noonan, Thank you for your response. I look forward to the point in time when the M4 in my area is resurfaced with quiet running material. Regarding my query re the possible installation of solar panel acoustic barriers, please review the following where the Highways Agency is stated to be supporting the installation of Solar Panel Sound Barriers on the M40. http://www.m40-chilterns.org.uk/news.html This URL link was indicated to you with others on the email I sent. Please advise me how it is that the partnership of the Highways Agency (HA), Wycombe District Council (WDC) and M40 Chilterns Environmental Group (M40CEG) will take forward a winning proposal by M40 CEG in response to the Co-operative Group's Community Energy Challenge, whilst you give me no hope for such barriers in my area. Do I need to get the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to form a partnership with the Highways Agency? By copy of this to RBWM Cllr Hill and Ben Smith, I note Cllr Hill's request to Ben Smith to investigate my suggestion and ask that Cllr Hill please respond to me. If Solar Panel Acoustic Barriers are impossible, then please advise me as to when ANY effective acoustic barriers will be applied to drastically reduce the motorway noise we are subjected to in Holyport. I know that some have been applied, but their efficacy is clearly very poor. Sincerely, Andrew Cormie,
Reply received from Highways Agency / Enterprise Mouchel 27 Feb 2013
Dear Mr Cormie,
Further to your email, you will need to re-contact the Highways Agency Information Line and ask that your enquiry regarding how the partnership on the M40 will work. The whole of the Agency’s road network is split into different areas and contracts and unfortunately the area that covers the M40 is not operated by EnterpriseMouchel.
They should then be able to give you further details regarding the partnership and any other details you seek.
In regards to when acoustic barriers could be applied to the M4 around the area of Holyport; the way in which the Agency manages traffic noise issues is driven by the requirement of the Environmental Noise Directive introduced into UK legislation in October 2006; through the Environmental Noise Regulations. The lead department for the implementation of the Directive and its regulations is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
These regulations require strategic noise maps and action plans to be prepared for urban areas (agglomerations), major roads, major railways and major airports. This mapping and action plan process will be undertaken on a five year cycle.
DEFRA published the noise maps for England’s roads in 2008, with the noise action plans following 2 years later in 2010. The action plans set out a framework for managing noise rather than propose specific mitigation measures.
They have been designed to identify ‘Important Areas’ that are impacted by noise from major sources and therefore must be investigated. However the action plans require those ‘Important Areas with First Priority Locations’ to be investigated as a priority. The definitions of ‘Important Areas’ and ‘Important Areas with First Priority Locations’ which apply to major roads are set out below:
· Important Areas (IAs): These are where the 1% of the population that are affected by the highest noise levels from major roads are located according to the results of DEFRA's strategic noise maps
· Important Areas with First Priority Locations (IAs with FPLs): These are those Important Areas which have locations with road traffic noise levels in excess of 76 decibels according to the results of DEFRA's strategic noise maps
Information on ‘Important Areas’ and ‘Important Areas with First Priority Locations’ is publically available and can be viewed HERE.
According to DEFRA’s Noise Action Plans, First Priority Locations have been identified on the M4 Jct 7 to 8/9. The Agency have recently completed the initial investigations at all IAs with FPLs alongside strategic roads; including those alongside the M4 J7 to 8/9. These investigations have identified what, if any, noise mitigation measures could be installed by 2020/21 to address the noise problems identified. No specific budgets have been allocated to deliver any of the noise mitigation measures identified in the investigations, but there is an expectation that existing policies will be used as far as possible to provide noise reductions.
The initial investigation of the IA and FPL's alongside the M4 Jct 7 to 8/9 has concluded that the most appropriate noise mitigation measure adjacent to A308 Windsor Road and Lake End Road is low noise surface. However, it has been found that although it is possible to be able to implement an action at this site, there are no immediately available financial resources to do so. The initial investigation at Ashford Lane and West Point Jct 7 Northern Spur are yet to be completed.
Reports of our initial investigations at all completed IAs and FPLs identified on the Strategic Road Network have now been sent out to local councils for consultation in order to fulfil a DEFRA requirement. We have sent the report for A308 Windsor Road and Lake End Road to South Bucks District Council and we will consider any comments we receive from the council before making our final recommendation for noise mitigation in this location. Any noise mitigation proposals which result from the investigation or consultation processes will depend upon available funding and other priorities in the area. Therefore, we cannot confirm at this stage when any noise attenuation measures will be installed.
Noise mitigation in the form of acoustic barriers is only effective for properties which are located very close to the carriageway. However, resurfacing with a lower noise surface reduces the noise at source: the interface between the tyre and the road surface. Consequently this solution provides benefits for those living further from the carriageway as well as those close to it.
The second round of noise mapping and action planning will be undertaken by DEFRA during 2013
Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us at area3hailenquiries@enterprisemouchel.com
Yours sincerely
Aaron Noonan
Dear Sir / Madam,
Is there any possibility of making the road surface quieter in the aforementioned stretch, especially as it approaches J 8/9 from the East North East?
Also, I have read (see below) that solar panels will be installed beside the M40, to protect residents from noise and at the same time to generate electricity. Is there any possibility that this approach could be taken? Can you liaise with Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) councillors on this?
See http://www.evoenergy.co.uk/blog/11658/solar-panel-noise-barriers-for-buckingham/
and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-19717566
and http://www.m40-chilterns.org.uk/docs/tetsworth-newsletter-april2012.pdf
and http://www.m40-chilterns.org.uk/
Some years ago, you installed noise shielding in the Holyport area, but as I pointed out at the time it does not extend far enough.
In my location on the South East side of Holyport Road, when the wind is blowing from the North East we even get major noise at the back of our houses, as it blows the noise along the motorway as it approaches J 8/9 from the East North East.
In the houses immediately near the motorway at the A308, the situation is even worse.
By copy of this to RBWM and Bray Parish Councillors, I ask that serious consideration be given to the solar panel sound barrier system.
Sincerely,
Andrew Cormie
Reply received from Highways Agency / Enterprise Mouchel 26 Feb 2013
Dear Mr Cormie,
Thank you for contacting the Highways Agency Information Line. Your enquiry has been forwarded to EnterpriseMouchel, as we are the Managing Agents on behalf of the Agency and we are responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the M4.
Unfortunately there are no plans to undertake major resurfacing of the M4 around the Junction 8/9 area; within our current forward programme. Resurfacing is only undertaken when there is a maintenance requirement to do so such as surface deterioration, rutting or cracking. Resurfacing is not undertaken for noise reasons alone; however we do use a lower noise material for all our resurfacing works which is typically quieter than the existing asphalt surface materials.
We have liaised with Buffalo Acoustic Barriers and Gramm Fencing, who are the main suppliers of acoustic barriers on our network, we can confirm that there are no acoustic barriers within our region that are capable of collecting light for use as energy. Both companies confirmed that they are unaware of an acoustic barrier that has had a solar panel applied to it to allow for this function.
However, both companies felt that it would be possible to apply a solar panel to an acoustic barrier in order to generate electricity whilst mitigating noise. The Agency are not planning to apply solar panels to the first priority or important area sites, within our network. If this innovation was progressed a feasibility study would need to be undertaken to determine that an acoustic barrier could support solar panels, without creating wind-loading issues or decreasing acoustic capabilities.
In summary there are no plans to install barriers along the M4 near your property that will have solar panels attached.
Should you have any additional questions regarding this query please do not hesitate to contact me at area3hailenquiries@enterprisemouchel.com
We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to answer a short questionnaire to help us review and improve our services.
Yours sincerely
Aaron Noonan
Andrew Cormie response on 26 Feb 2013
Dear Mr Noonan, Thank you for your response. I look forward to the point in time when the M4 in my area is resurfaced with quiet running material. Regarding my query re the possible installation of solar panel acoustic barriers, please review the following where the Highways Agency is stated to be supporting the installation of Solar Panel Sound Barriers on the M40. http://www.m40-chilterns.org.uk/news.html This URL link was indicated to you with others on the email I sent. Please advise me how it is that the partnership of the Highways Agency (HA), Wycombe District Council (WDC) and M40 Chilterns Environmental Group (M40CEG) will take forward a winning proposal by M40 CEG in response to the Co-operative Group's Community Energy Challenge, whilst you give me no hope for such barriers in my area. Do I need to get the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to form a partnership with the Highways Agency? By copy of this to RBWM Cllr Hill and Ben Smith, I note Cllr Hill's request to Ben Smith to investigate my suggestion and ask that Cllr Hill please respond to me. If Solar Panel Acoustic Barriers are impossible, then please advise me as to when ANY effective acoustic barriers will be applied to drastically reduce the motorway noise we are subjected to in Holyport. I know that some have been applied, but their efficacy is clearly very poor. Sincerely, Andrew Cormie,
Reply received from Highways Agency / Enterprise Mouchel 27 Feb 2013
Dear Mr Cormie,
Further to your email, you will need to re-contact the Highways Agency Information Line and ask that your enquiry regarding how the partnership on the M40 will work. The whole of the Agency’s road network is split into different areas and contracts and unfortunately the area that covers the M40 is not operated by EnterpriseMouchel.
They should then be able to give you further details regarding the partnership and any other details you seek.
In regards to when acoustic barriers could be applied to the M4 around the area of Holyport; the way in which the Agency manages traffic noise issues is driven by the requirement of the Environmental Noise Directive introduced into UK legislation in October 2006; through the Environmental Noise Regulations. The lead department for the implementation of the Directive and its regulations is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
These regulations require strategic noise maps and action plans to be prepared for urban areas (agglomerations), major roads, major railways and major airports. This mapping and action plan process will be undertaken on a five year cycle.
DEFRA published the noise maps for England’s roads in 2008, with the noise action plans following 2 years later in 2010. The action plans set out a framework for managing noise rather than propose specific mitigation measures.
They have been designed to identify ‘Important Areas’ that are impacted by noise from major sources and therefore must be investigated. However the action plans require those ‘Important Areas with First Priority Locations’ to be investigated as a priority. The definitions of ‘Important Areas’ and ‘Important Areas with First Priority Locations’ which apply to major roads are set out below:
· Important Areas (IAs): These are where the 1% of the population that are affected by the highest noise levels from major roads are located according to the results of DEFRA's strategic noise maps
· Important Areas with First Priority Locations (IAs with FPLs): These are those Important Areas which have locations with road traffic noise levels in excess of 76 decibels according to the results of DEFRA's strategic noise maps
Information on ‘Important Areas’ and ‘Important Areas with First Priority Locations’ is publically available and can be viewed HERE.
According to DEFRA’s Noise Action Plans, First Priority Locations have been identified on the M4 Jct 7 to 8/9. The Agency have recently completed the initial investigations at all IAs with FPLs alongside strategic roads; including those alongside the M4 J7 to 8/9. These investigations have identified what, if any, noise mitigation measures could be installed by 2020/21 to address the noise problems identified. No specific budgets have been allocated to deliver any of the noise mitigation measures identified in the investigations, but there is an expectation that existing policies will be used as far as possible to provide noise reductions.
The initial investigation of the IA and FPL's alongside the M4 Jct 7 to 8/9 has concluded that the most appropriate noise mitigation measure adjacent to A308 Windsor Road and Lake End Road is low noise surface. However, it has been found that although it is possible to be able to implement an action at this site, there are no immediately available financial resources to do so. The initial investigation at Ashford Lane and West Point Jct 7 Northern Spur are yet to be completed.
Reports of our initial investigations at all completed IAs and FPLs identified on the Strategic Road Network have now been sent out to local councils for consultation in order to fulfil a DEFRA requirement. We have sent the report for A308 Windsor Road and Lake End Road to South Bucks District Council and we will consider any comments we receive from the council before making our final recommendation for noise mitigation in this location. Any noise mitigation proposals which result from the investigation or consultation processes will depend upon available funding and other priorities in the area. Therefore, we cannot confirm at this stage when any noise attenuation measures will be installed.
Noise mitigation in the form of acoustic barriers is only effective for properties which are located very close to the carriageway. However, resurfacing with a lower noise surface reduces the noise at source: the interface between the tyre and the road surface. Consequently this solution provides benefits for those living further from the carriageway as well as those close to it.
The second round of noise mapping and action planning will be undertaken by DEFRA during 2013
Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us at area3hailenquiries@enterprisemouchel.com
Yours sincerely
Aaron Noonan