The Noise Insulation Regulations 1975

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations, subject to transitional provisions (Schedule 2), supersede the Noise Insulation Regulations 1973. The principal changes made by these Regulations are that they attract improved noise calculation techniques, clarify entitlement to insulation and add some flexibility to the specification for insulation work. The general effect of the transitional provisions is to preserve entitlement to insulation work or a grant which is established under the 1973 Regulations before these Regulations take effect, including provision for appeals which fail under the one set of Regulations to be reviewed under the other in certain circumstances.

The Regulations provide for the insulation of buildings against noise caused or expected to be caused by traffic using certain new highways and certain altered highways, and by certain highway works. They impose a duty on highway authorities to carry out noise insulation work or to make a grant in respect of the cost in certain cases (Regulation 3) and confer a power to do so in other cases (Regulation 4). Regulation 5 confers a power on highway authorities to insulate buildings against construction noise. Regulation 7 defines the classes of buildings to be insulated as being dwellings and other buildings used for residential purposes, with certain exceptions. The Regulations also prescribe the procedure governing the making and acceptance of offers to carry out insulation work or to make a grant and the conditions to be complied with, and provide for a review of entitlement to noise insulation (Regulation 13), for local authorities to act as agents of highway authorities (Regulation 14) and for specifications for insulation work (Schedule 1). They provide for noise levels to be ascertained by reference to a technical memorandum (Regulation 6).