M1 Road Noise - Shepshed

May 2007

This week I received confirmation from the Highways Agency that they have committed to resurfacing the whole route of the M1 near Shepshed with low noise resurfacing material, which reduces noise levels by up to 3db.

The Highways Agency is tasked with widening the M1 as part of a £340m contract to help reduce traffic congestion and improve journey times between junction 21 and junction 30 of the M1, with work commencing this summer.

I am delighted that the Highways Agency have responded both so promptly and positively, and the news will be a relief to many people.

Shepshed resident Anne Chamberlain of Field Avenue, also welcomed the news “having been affected by traffic noise from the M1 for many years, the news of the improvements is very pleasing, and hopefully will make a big difference in Shepshed”.

April 2007

Over the Easter Recess I took time again to press the Highways Agency to implement noise reduction measures for residents of Shepshed, in particular those living in the Countryman Way and Field Avenue area, who are badly affected by vehicle noise from the M1.

The Highways Agency is tasked with widening the M1 as part of a £340m contract to help reduce traffic congestion and improve journey times between junction 21 and junction 30 of the M1, with work commencing this summer.

Residents of Shepshed living in close proximity to junction 23 of the M1 have for some years suffered from high noise levels, and after receiving further representations I have now restated my calls for action to be taken to help improve their plight. Several steps can be taken to reduce the traffic noise, either by installing low level resurfacing or by siting sound barriers in affected areas.

I believe it is crucial that the Highways Agency include noise reduction measures as an integral part of the widening work at Junction 23.

I have written to the M1 widening Team at the Highways Agency on behalf of Shepshed residents and urged the Highways Agency to draw up specific plans in respect of Shepshed, including taking new noise monitoring levels in order to further bolster the local residents’ case for action to be taken.

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M1 Widening Scheme

April 2005

I am generally not in favour of a major new road building programme for the UK. I do not believe this will solve our congestion problems as the evidence is quite clear in showing that new roads simply attract more traffic - thereby only being a short term measure. Environmentally we have to tackle our love affair with the motor car or produce much more environmentally friendly cars sooner rather than later. I do a lot of work with local technology companies to help this happen. However, there is a case for tackling pinch points in the current road network to reduce the harmful congestion which causes increased emissions and that may include widening parts of the M1. I would need to study the full environmental impact studies before making a final conclusion on this issue.

July 2003

There is a plan to widen the M1 from Jct 21 - 30 within the next 10 years. The Highways Agency are talking about doing the 'quick hits' bits first, where no land take is required, but we won't have anything firm from the Highways Agency http://www.highways.gov.uk until probably the end of the year.

Some people living near the M1 in Shepshed or Loughborough may have received speculative letters from a firm called Thomas Broadbend inviting residents to sign up with them for a no-win no-fee compensation claim. There is no guarantee of compensation in this case.

Further details of the proposals and timetable will be added here in due course.

Updated July 2003