Sound barriers to be erected along M27 in New Forest (From Daily Echo)

Sound barriers to be erected along M27 in New Forest

7:10am Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

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SOUND barriers could be installed within 12 months on a stretch of motorway through the New Forest National Park, transport bosses have revealed.

Plans were unveiled last year to curb noise pollution from the M27 between junctions one and two by erecting timber-framed fencing with fibreglass inserts.

Now a target has been set to complete the project by early next year after the area’s MP asked for a progress update.

Calls for noise mitigation measures originally came from residents in Copythorne and Cadnam whose homes back on to the busy route.

Several options are now being considered and undergoing environmental and structural evaluation.

Highways Agency staff are due to identify a preferred solution this month and, subject to funding, construction will begin in 2011.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, the sound barrier plan has been welcomed by the New Forest Association – one of the oldest conservation groups in the country.

The fencing, which uses reflective technologies to cut traffic noise, would be installed near population centres alongside the 4km section of the M27 in the New Forest.

Moves to curb sound in the area are part of a wider noise reduction scheme for the motorway. Junctions three and four were resurfaced in 2002.

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis said: “The community and its representatives have been pressing for a solution to the noise problem along this busy stretch of road for a very long time.

“I am cautiously optimistic that practical relief may be on the way at last.”