Families' fury over removal of M6 fencing at Great Barr

Residents living close to the M6 in Great Barr say the removal of fencing along the carriageway for a road works scheme has increased the traffic noise threefold.

Work is currently taking place on the managed motorway scheme between junction five at Castle Bromwich and Junction eight, West Bromwich, which will see opening the hard shoulder to motorists.

It is expected to be completed in late 2013, but highways bosses say the fences are expected to be put back up in early 2013.

But those living nearby say they are struggling to sleep, their walls are vibrating and the speeding traffic has become a distraction whilst they are trying to relax in their homes.

The fence was only removed last week, and resident say it is already causing problems

Pensioner Audrey Robinson who lives on Parkwood Croft said the increase in noise has been dramatic.

She said: "The noise has increased three-fold I would say. I have struggled to get to sleep because of it, and have been woken up by the noise."

Her husband John, said: "It is also very distracting now, because you can now see the traffic. So when you are watching TV you can see it out of the corner of your eye."

The couple who have lived on the road for 60 years, said they are very concerned about what the work will mean for them.

Mrs Robinson said: "I am worried they will chop some of the trees down on the verge, they have said they won't but I can't see how they will do the work without removing some of the trees. Also the road will be moved closer towards us, that is just going to make it noisier."

A Highways Agency spokesman Dee Smith said: "The fencing has been removed to provide sufficient working room in narrow verges to allow for the installation of the infrastructure required for the new Managed Motorway. Residents were given advance warning of this work, and the removal of the fence in two separate letters and a scheme newsletter sent out at the beginning of the year.

Ms Smith added: "We appreciate the removal of the fence is inconvenient for residents but the work is an important part of our preparations ahead of the main work starting on the M6 Junction 5 to Junction 8 managed motorway scheme.

"Sections of screen fencing removed between Junction 6 and Junction 7 are scheduled to be reinstated late 2012/early 2013 on completion of construction works in these areas.

"Once completed, the variable speed limits and extra capacity through using the hard shoulder will reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and help make journeys more reliable, as well as improve safety"

By Naomi Dunning