IT would seem the Highways Agency is ignoring its own research on M5 motorway noise. As the district councillor representing the villages of Hadzor, Oddingley and Tibberton, I have received many complaints about the noise from the M5 and was hopeful that the proposed re-surfacing with a quieter surface this year would lessen the disturbance caused to local residents.

The results of the public consultation carried out by consultants Atkins Transport Planning for the Highways Agency in 2004 identified the noise impact along the M5 as being a major issue (A46-M5-M50-A40 Route Management Plan published by the Highways Agency in December 2005). The M5 between junctions 5 and 9 is singled out as having a particular problem with noise.

Third in the list of sixteen 'Route Outcomes' is the statement "to reduce the impacts of traffic noise where appropriate along the route for the local community and environment". We are assured that "Each Route Outcome will generate actions and priorities which will form the basis of the formulation of the Route Management Plan". Among possible actions to combat noise 'using low noise road surfacing for future maintenance' and 'developing an information strategy to inform residents of future actions and manage concerns' are listed.

Low noise surfacing would help reduce the level of noise which is becoming increasingly difficult to live with as the amount of traffic increases. An 'information strategy' seems unlikely to have any effect on lessening noise - but the Highways Agency's bland statement that they now have no plans for resurfacing shows that they have chosen to completely ignore their own 'Management Plan'. Spending money on research you then ignore because you haven't the money to carry out any of the recommendations made is particularly inept. This seems to be another example, along with the Health Service, where Gordon Brown's sums aren't adding up.

Councillor Margaret Rowley

Wychavon District Cllr, Bowbrook Ward