Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, in conjunction with local authorities, to improve the environment of roads to a level comparable to that in other EU countries, including the provision of (1) more frequent and cleaner lay-bys for cars and lorries, and (2) better and more extensive sound barriers.

(1) The Department for Transport recognises the need for new or expanded lorry parking provision, including laybys for short breaks, on various parts of the road network nationally. The Department is currently considering how the Government can work collaboratively with other relevant stakeholders, including local authorities and industry, to address this national shortage. Formal parking for HGVs with dedicated spaces and facilities is available in the main at Motorway Service areas and trunk-road service areas.

Local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area including laybys. The Act does not set out specific standards of maintenance, as it is for each individual local highway authority to assess which parts of its network are in need of repair and what standards should be applied. Central Government has no powers to override local decisions in these matters.

(2) The Road Investment Strategy has provided funding for Highways England to address historical noise issues on the Strategic Road Network with a target to improve 1150 Noise Important Areas by 2020. Noise barriers are being delivered to address a number of Noise Important Areas and also to provide mitigation for major project schemes.