A19NAG
Noise Action Group
A19NAG members held a meeting with Stockton Borough Council on the 12th of January 2010 click here for details
The Position of Stockton Borough Council, outlined in an email from Richard McGuckin, see below
Matthew,
Following you email to Neil Schneider below, I am writing to provide you with the Council’s position in relation to your concerns and requests. I also note the content of the email from Bernard McLean in relation to noise issues. As the same recipients were included on both emails, I have taken the liberty of responding in one reply.
Firstly, in terms of your request for the Council support your campaign; the Council does not directly support individual action groups. That said, the Council as both Highway and Environmental Health Authority, does have views on the issues you have raised. In summary, the Council does support the replacement of the concrete carriageway for alternative surfacing that reduces road traffic noise. As you are aware, the A19 is a trunk road, managed and maintained by the Highways Agency. The Council has no jurisdiction on the A19 as a Highway Authority, however the interests and concerns of local Residents is at the heart of the Councils responsibilities.
The history of the replacement of this section of concrete carriageway has been the subject of discussion for many years and it is discussed at regular liaison meetings with the Highways Agency and Autolink. Evidently, the Highways Agency had put a bid into DfT earlier this year to reconstruct this section of road, as there were some surplus unallocated funds at the time. Ultimately, other projects and areas had also bid and therefore they weren’t successful that time. The Highways Agency official statement on this issue is ‘Concrete surfacing replacement on the A19 Billingham Diversion is not programmed for 2009/10; though there is reasonable justification for funding the scheme in the future.’
As I stated previously, the Council does support the replacement of the carriageway with quieter surfacing, however, it remains the jurisdiction of the HA. The Council will continue to lobby at an Officer and Political level, to ensure that residents concerns are heard.
With regard to the noise levels, I understand that Mr McLean has been corresponding with Steve Smith from Environmental Health over the summer period. That correspondence stated that new DEFRA guidance on road traffic noise remained in draft format. Since then, DEFRA has published maps showing the location of 'First priority areas', on their website and as you have stated the A19 at Billingham is not that list. As you will be aware, this area will be classed as an 'important area' , which would be normally be dealt with after 'First priority location', however I am also led to believe that there maybe some flexibility for the Highways Agency to address important areas sooner rather than later, depending on local circumstances. I note your intentions to try and change the classification to a FPL through lobbying. Given this potential flexibility, I am proposing to write again to the Highways Agency asking for their opinion given noise levels and variations within them. The Council’s Environmental Health team, will also arrange for further noise monitoring in the area when weather conditions are suitable.
I trust this clarifies the position and I can assure you that the Council will continue to work closely with the Highways Agency on this issue. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.
Regards,
Richard McGuckin
Acting Head of Technical Services
Technical Services Division
Stockton-
Kingsway House
Billingham
TS23 2YL
Telephone: 01642 527028
Fax Number: 01642 528217