Time for Action on Motorway Noise

12.00.00am GMT Wed 28th Oct 2009

Action is needed to reduce M5 noise

Councillor Margaret Rowley has been campaigning for action to reduce the noise from the M5 for over 5 years.

The Government keeps moving the goalposts. The quieter road surface originally promised for 2005/6 and then delayed until 2010 seems to have been put back yet again.

The Highways Agency identified the area as having a problem with noise in a study carried out a few years ago . In their route management strategy, they list 'to reduce the impacts of traffic noise where appropriate' as one of their objectives. However, discussions with the the Agency and our MP have not led to any action.

The Agency has said that when the surface needs replacing it will be replaced with a quieter surface, but it is in a good state of repair at the moment. Replacing the road surface will help, but even when it is done, this will not be the complete answer. It is likely that various combinations of special noise absorption fencing, earth bunds and/or tree planting will be required to tackle problems at specific points. None of this can be done without Highways Agency approval, and no funding is currently available.

In order to highlight the problem, and get something done, Margaret has submitted a petition on the 'Number 10' web site. If you are troubled by noise from the M5, please sign up.

Click Here.