Shropshire Star

New surface will reduce M54 noise

Excessive noise from passing cars could finally become part of the past thanks to resurfacing work on the M54.

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Overnight roadworks are under way on the motorway this week and it will see concrete replaced with low-noise material asphalt, the Highways Agency said today.

It comes following years of campaigning by residents, including South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson, calling for the M54 to be resurfaced to reduce noise generated from concrete.

The work was sparked by fears over the increased numbers of cars on the carriageway due to the expansion of the Jaguar Land Rover plant at the i54 business park.

Three months of westbound overnight closures began this week as resurfacing work began. This will be in place between Monday and Thursday this week between 10pm and 6am and between 10pm and 7am on Friday and Saturday.

Highways Agency project manager Purnima Kaul said: "The new surfacing will help to greatly reduce noise from the carriageway – so local residents should notice less 'motorway noise' once it's in place.

"As well as cutting noise, the new surface will be durable and long-lasting, so we should not need to revisit this work for many years to come.

"The resurfacing forms part of our work to replace the central reservation barrier and improve drainage on this stretch of the M54. This work will help keep drivers safe, whilst the drainage improvements will reduce spray from the road surface. We look forward to completing this scheme and delivering smoother, better journeys for customers on the M54."

Junctions 3 to 5 of the motorway have been reduced to two narrow lanes throughout the work, with speed restrictions in place during the day.

The work forms part of a £10.8 million improvement scheme – and, barring a short respite over Christmas, it will be in place until April.

Workmen will remove and replace the central reservation, creating a concrete barrier like that recently installed on other motorways including the M5 and M6. Drainage will be improved and the surface will be replaced to make it quieter.

The Highways Agency said the old concrete was being lifted and replaced with asphalt and that work was on track.

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