Noise-reducing barriers to be installed on M40

Noise-reducing barriers will be installed along sections of the M40 in Buckinghamshire.

Highways England has been working in partnership with the M40 Chiltern Environmental Group (M40 CEG), Wycombe District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council, to develop proposals to reduce noise along the M40 corridor between Loudwater (near junction 3 of the motorway) in Buckinghamshire and Wheatley (near junction 8) in South Oxfordshire.

Noise barriers are planned for sections of the M40 as it passes near High Wycombe, as well as near the Buckinghamshire villages of Lane End, Stokenchurch and Chepping Wycombe.

A 4.3 mile (7km) stretch of the M40 in Oxfordshire, between Adwell (near junction 6) and the A40 Oxford spur (at junction 8), is also being resurfaced, which will significantly contribute to reducing noise and improving the quality of life for residents. Work is due to get underway in mid-September and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Highways England project manager Mark Saunders said: “We have been working hard with our partners to help residents along the M40 affected by noise. I am delighted to announce that we will be progressing a scheme to install noise barriers at the locations where it will make the most difference, in addition to the low-noise resurfacing work we will shortly be carrying out.”

The noise barrier project originally involved trialling innovative, energy-generating noise barriers mounted with solar panels. However, these types of barriers are not currently suitable for this section of the M40 as Highways England would not be able to use the harnessed electricity. In the future, solar panel barriers may be suitable for use at suitable locations on the road network.

Subject to successful completion of detailed design and to funding, Highways England aim to start on the construction of the noise barriers in summer 2017.