ERF states position on EU traffic noise reduction policy

In accordance with the requirement laid down by the EU’s 2002 Environmental Noise Directive (END), the 27 member states must produce noise maps and noise reduction action plans that target the different modes of transport (road, rail, aviation etc). The European Union Road Federation (ERF), the Brussels Programme Centre of the International Road Federation (IRF), proposes to significantly enhance the impact of these initiatives by assessing the road traffic noise reducing measures undertaken within the END framework.

The ERF says, “While the road community is aware of the impact of its activities, it believes that sector should not be unfairly singled out. The reduction of noise pollution requires concrete efforts from all transport sectors and the road sector is strongly committed to this cause. In particular, the road infrastructure sector would like to propose a wide range of solutions that can be implemented within the framework of the END’s national action plans. However, the ERF fears that the member states are turning towards the cheapest and not the most cost-effective solution, thus proposing measures which are either ineffective or have a limited impact.”

The ERF statement continues, “We urge the EU to devise a method to assess the real effect of the measures implemented within the END framework. The lack of quality control checks at early and subsequent key phases of the process will most likely lead to expensive corrective actions at a later stage.”
 

28 April 2009