MOUNT Nod residents in Coventry, who live near to the A45, are lobbying against night-time noise pollution from lorries.
Residents claim that much of the noise is created by HGVs using the A45 as a shortcut through from the M6 during night closures – a frequent problem due to ongoing smart motorways upgrades.
An official diversion is in place, but local residents say it is largely ignored by HGV drivers seeking a quicker route.
Resident Michelle Davoile said: “My house backs onto the A45 and it’s become a really, really busy thoroughfare. The use of it by HGVs overnight, particularly with the M6 smart motorway closures, is making life very difficult from a sleeping and wellbeing point of view.
“The noise levels are unacceptable and the congestion is off-the-scale. Many residents are suffering and it seems to be really, really difficult to get the council or the Highways Agency to engage and listen.
“The A45 has been allowed to become like a motorway with all the expansion in Coventry and no infrastructure development to support it.”
Backed by councillors representing Woodlands Ward, residents are calling for Coventry City Council and the Highways Agency to do more to address the problem.
Coun Gary Ridley, leader of the Conservative Group on the council, said: “This would appear to be yet another problem with this stretch of the A45. It’s bad enough that residents have to live next to an accident black spot without being deprived of sleep too.
“Isn’t there more we can do to ensure drivers use the official diversion when highway upgrades are taking place? At the moment we’re at risk of ending up with a smart motorway surrounded by a foolish network.”
This is the latest complaint to be raised about the A45 following recent concerns about safety at the Broad Lane junction.
Coun Julia Lepoidevin added: “We’re already calling for a review of the Broad Lane junction but this issue needs to be included as part of that process.
“Many residents have told me they’re at breaking point and their mental health is starting to suffer. As a mother I feel terrible for anyone trying to get their kids off to sleep and having to live with this noise night and day. Won’t somebody think of their welfare?”
City engineers have admitted the extra vehicles using the route as a cut-through could lead to further accidents. There are also fears that development on the greenbelt nearby could exacerbate the issue.
A council spokesperson said: “We are aware that there is additional traffic using the A45 while the M6 is closed. This is usually overnight.
“We sympathise with local people and we would like to reassure them that we are working with Highways England to see what can be done to encourage better compliance with the official diversion route, which does not use the A45 through Coventry.”
