WORK has started on a multi-million pound scheme that aims to slash the amount of noise made by traffic using part of the M27.

The western end of the motorway is being resurfaced using a sound-absorbent material in a bid to improve the quality of life for people living near the busy commuter route.

It follows a spate of complaints from people with homes and businesses beside the Cadnam section of the M27.

The £3m scheme to refurbish both carriageways between Cadnam and Bunker’s Hill has been welcomed by Copythorne Parish Council, which has been fighting for improvements for 15 years.

Council chairman Stuart Bullen-Jarvis told the Daily Echo: “The motorway makes a horrendous noise that affects the whole parish.

“It’s a major intrusion into people’s lives.

“On a scale of 0-10 it’s got to be somewhere around the seven mark – and it’s worse in winter because there are fewer leaves on the trees.

“Part of the problem is that the noise is amplified by two concrete bridges that carry the M27 over other roads.”

People hoping for a quieter life include staff and pupils at Copythorne Infant School, which overlooks the M27.

Head of learning Jan Thomas said: “The noise is something we’ve got used to, but it’ll be very nice if there’s a little less of it in future.”

Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, said campaigners had been pressing for a solution to the problem for a long time.

He added: “I am optimistic that some practical relief is on the way at last.”

Daily Echo:

Transport minister John Hayes said: “Resurfacing with a material that has noise-reducing properties is usually the most effective solution as barriers benefit only those living closest to the road.”

A Highways Agency spokesman confirmed that the scheme had already started and was due to finish on March 6.

Last year the Daily Echo revealed that the agency is also planning to cut traffic noise on the M27 near Eastleigh.

Eastleigh MP Mike Thornton said: “One of my main priorities since becoming an MP has been to get action on motorway noise.

“It’s a problem that blights thousands of my constituents who live near the M27, and is potentially damaging to their health.”