Noise survey to be carried out on A1(M)

A Government minister has pledged to help residents living next to a noisy motorway, following a visit to WGC.

Transport minister Mike Penning has this week ordered a new noise survey to be carried out on the A1(M) where it passes through Handside.

Mr Penning had been invited to the area by ministerial colleague and Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps, who has led his Quieter A1(M) campaign for more than a decade.

While around 85 to 90 per cent of the motorway running through Welwyn Hatfield has been resurfaced with a modern, quieter surface, other sections crucially have not yet been.

And in Monday morning’s rush hour, Mr Penning experienced what residents living in Lemsford Lane, and nearby roads, have to put up with each and every day.

Mr Shapps said: “I invited him to hear first-hand just how much noise emanates from the A1(M) motorway.

“Even though we’ve had significant success getting large sections of the A1(M) through Welwyn Hatfield silenced, where it remains noisy residents still suffer a great deal of disturbance.

“With the warmer weather people open their windows but that can lead to disturbed sleep and I know people who can’t use their back garden because of the noise.”

Mr Shapps said Mr Penning acknowledged the noise levels.

“The minister wasn’t promising to wave a magic wand and make the noise disappear, but he was very interested in the scale of the problem and wanted to start by getting the facts together,” Mr Shapps added.

“If the noise breaches the limits set out in law then he’ll be able to prioritise work, but I think given the financial situation it’s fair to say that we shouldn’t expect any quick solution.”

Also at Monday’s meeting were ward councillors Tony Skottowe, Malcolm Cowan, Fiona Thomson and Helen Bromley.