Noise upsets residents after tree lop

The Highways Agency has been forced into a showdown with angry residents after hacking down rows of trees to open up the hard shoulder running along the M6.

Scores of people living along the stretch between Junction 8 and 10a in Walsall were left stunned, after contractors chopped down trees to make way for the work, leaving them exposed to the noise of passing traffic.

The Highways Agency was not legally obliged to hold a public consultation because the work was carried out within the highway boundary.

But, following a public outcry, agency bosses have now offered to hold a public exhibition instead.

In a letter to Walsall MP David Winnick, chief executive of the Highways Agency, Graham Dalton, said: "With hindsight, this represented a lost opportunity to explain the scheme to the public.

"We are making arrangements for a public exhibition to be held locally in late spring.

"This will be an opportunity for us to explain the work taking place and projected developments."

Mr Dalton added it was "regrettable" the trees had been removed.

He said: "The main issue of concern is the removal of trees beside the motorway to provide space for the construction of an emergency refuge area as part of the Active Traffic Management works.

"This had to be done early in the contract to avoid the bird nesting season between March and August.

"The clearance has reduced the visible screening effect that the trees provided and it is regrettable that this was necessary."

It is hoped new replacement trees will be planted in the autumn to help reduce the impact on residents.

Agency bosses held a site meeting with residents from Murdock Way, in Beechdale, who were angry about the plans, which they say they were not consulted on.

Residents living near the back of Poets Corner, in Short Heath, Willenhall, also complained about the loss of trees bordering their properties and the motorway, one of the busiest stretches in the country.

Mr Winnick, MP for Walsall North, who met with Highways Agency bosses to highlight the residents' plight said: "I am pleased that the Highways Agency has now set out what they intend to do to alleviate the distress caused to residents in Murdock Way and surrounding areas."

Last month, the Highways Agency apologised to Murdock Way residents, after they were were woken up at 1.30am to the sound of diggers just yards from their homes.

The work is part of wider Active Traffic Management works being carried out across the Birmingham area.

It is hoped opening the hard shoulder will alleviate traffic congestion.

A similar scheme was put in place on the M42 in 2006.