Lib Dem Prospective MP for Winchester welcomes Noise Action Plans and Hampshire Noise Maps: "Now the Highways Agency is out of excuses for delaying quieter surfaces on the M3 and A34"

12.00.00pm GMT Thu 18th Mar 2010

New Government noise maps suggest that the south end of the M3 through Chandler's Ford and Eastleigh is one of the noisiest roads in the country. The road shows up as the noisiest part of the noise map for Southampton - one of only 22 areas in the country to be highlighted separately as part of the Government's Noise Action Plans.

The Government maps show the 'First Priority Locations' - some of the noisiest areas in the country - where work needs to happen first. Locally these include the areas of Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Compton, Highcliffe and Winnall nearest the M3 and parts of Headbourne Worthy near the A34.

Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Winchester, Martin Tod, has welcomed the Government's new Noise Action Plans announced at the same time as the publication of the latest maps on March 15th. These require the Highways Agency and other bodies like Network Rail and Hampshire County Council to develop plans and then take action to reduce noise from roads and railways.

Mr Tod commented: "Now the Highways Agency is out of excuses for delaying quieter surfaces on the M3 and A34. The analysis shows we have serious noise problems from our main roads - amongst the worst in the country. Now they have to do something about it. Unfortunately, it's not going to be immediate, but the Highways Agency is expected to have started the work, or have earmarked the money to start work, no later than April next year. I will be writing to the Highways Agency to ask if they can bring forward their plans even sooner. It's a top priority for me to get them to move fast in tackling the noise problems in our area."

"One of the more ridiculous things is that Network Rail may now be required to do something about the noise at Stoke Charity Road Bridge. Unfortunately, despite requests, they appear not to have built noise reduction into their plan of current works for the bridge, so they may need to come back again to finish the work!"