Wycombe Liberal Democrats

Whilst canvassing in Lane End, I have again been shocked by the level of noise that some residents have to put up with from the M40. I have met many residents who have to live with a constant background roar from the M40. Last weekend we were treated to some beautiful weather, but I cannot imagine relaxing in my garden at the weekend with the noise of a busy motorway in the background.

Last night, Wycombe District Council passed the following motion:

‘This Council wishes to place on record, its serious concern at the level of noise produced by traffic on the M40 as it traverses the district and the blight this causes the communities that border the motorway. The Council considers that all practicable means should be taken by the Highways Agency to mitigate this noise and wishes to support local residents whose quality of life is affected by noise pollution in their campaign for the necessary works to be carried out.’

Your Liberal Democrats councillors, of course, supported this motion. But it does not go far enough. This motion does not actually commit your Council to any kind of action - instead, it simply abdicates responsibility to the Highways Agency. Of course, the Highways Agency are responsible for the M40. But I believe that the District Council could and should:

1. Schedule regular meetings with the Highways Agency to monitor progress on noise reduction measures
2. Explore together with the Highways Agency what can be done to alleviate noise for those residents closest to the motorway
3. Explore what actions the District Council may be able to take independently - for example erecting noise barriers and tree planting

This is not a new problem, residents have been campaigning for too long without any real action being taken. With only three weeks to go until the election, this motion will not placate the long suffering residents of Lane End. It is time to elect councillors who will take action.

To read more about the M40 noise camapign, visit http://www.m40-chilterns.org.uk/