RESIDENTS living near busy Hampshire motorways say the deafening traffic noise is making their lives a misery.

Among the worst affected are those in parts of Eastleigh where the volume hits more than 75 decibels – equivalent to an alarm clock you can’t turn off.

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There are plans to resurface the M3 and M27 with low-noise tarmac but those who live nearby say it is taking too long and the noise is getting worse.

Pam Bevan, 72, of Megan Road, who has lived at her current address for more 50 years, said the noise is the worst it’s ever been.

She said: “It’s terrible and it’s there all the time. You can’t open a window or door and not hear it.

“It’s getting worse all the time and goes on all night.”

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne is demanding plans to resurface the motorways are pushed up the Government’s agenda.

He said: “This problem is not going away, and the Department of Transport owes it to local residents to come clean over the likely timescale for the scheme.

“Traffic continues to grow, and this merely increases the noise.”

A Highways Agency spokesman said: “We are currently undertaking a study to determine whether the installation of noise barriers is a practical and cost effective means of noise mitigation.

“This is due to be completed in March 2010.”