RESIDENTS living in part of Welwyn Hatfield are being given the chance to report a noisy neighbour.

But this neighbour isn’t staging wild parties or playing loud music into the early hours – for it’s the A1(M).

The Highways Agency has confirmed it will be carrying out a new noise survey covering sections of the motorway which run through Welwyn Hatfield.

The news comes after a visit to the area by transport minister Mike Penning back in May.

He had been invited to witness how noisy the Handside area of WGC was by ministerial colleague and Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps, who has led a Quieter A1(M) campaign for more than a decade.

Mr Shapps said: “I invited Mike to Welwyn Hatfield to come and hear the noise from the A1(M) motorway for himself.

“It’s true that over the years large sections of the motorway through our area have been resurfaced and this has helped to lessen the problem for many.

“However, for those residents living along a section of the A1(M) which hasn’t received this noise reducing treatment the racket is still 100 per cent there and it can be very distressing.”

At the time of the visit, Mr Penning pledged to order a new noise survey – and the Highways Agency has now confirmed that will start imminently.

Route performance manager Paul Robinson said: “The noise survey on the A1(M) in the Lemsford area will feed into further investigation work we are carrying out in relation to the First Priority Locations identified in Defra’s noise action planning process.

“The survey itself will be carried out using noise-measuring equipment placed at various locations along the A1(M), to enable us to get the clearest possible picture of sound levels due to traffic.”

“We are seeking to complete the noise survey by mid-October.”

For more information about the survey call Mr Robinson on 01306 878235.