THE Minister for Transport has said the A34 near Whitchurch should get a quieter surface within three years.

In a letter sent to North Hants MP Sir George Young, John Spellar MP said in the case of the A34, 'the Highways Agency would expect to meet its commitment by resurfacing with lower noise materials when major work is required as part of the normal maintenance cycle'.

This is expected to be within the next three years. Sir George has been pressing government ministers over the issue after Whitchurch Town Council asked for his help in ensuring the A34 was a priority when the funding is allocated.

The Government has 'ring fenced' £5 million a year to provide additional measures for communities most seriously affected by road noise and the Highways Agency agreed the trunk roads at Whitchurch and Litchfield qualified for noise abatement measures. But the funds are for the whole country and councillors were worried it may be some time before Whitchurch reaps the benefits, a point reinforced by Mr Speller in his letter.

He wrote: "Although it (the A34) has passed the initial sift and was being taken forward for further study, there are many other locations being considered and priorities for treatment have to take into account the number of people affected, road noise levels and the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the possible remedies."

A study carried out by David Gosling, of Litchfield, said the noise from the Whitchurch bypass was worse than people thought and was likely to increase significantly without abatement measures.