Local residents to voice M1 noise concerns to Minister

Ulster Unionist Councillor James Baird organised the meeting following growing complaints from local people.

A number of the residents, both as individuals and along with the Drumbeg Residents’ Association, have written to Roads Service to raise their concerns. 

“Since the construction of the solid central barrier the noise from traffic using the motorway is being reflected towards their homes, some of which are within close proximity to the carriageway, and can be heard as far away as the Drumbeg Road,” explained Mr Baird.

“Both the individuals who wrote to Roads Service and the Residents’ Association are disappointed at the responses from Roads Service which stated that the Department is only empowered to install noise mitigation measures where a new road is being developed and not in the case of major improvements.”

Mr Baird continued: “I feel it is unacceptable that residents should be subjected to the increased levels of noise following the major developments on the M1 but what is also unacceptable is the fact that Roads Service do not recognise the problem or the fact that they are responsible for it.”

Mr Baird added that he was looking forward to meeting with Mr Kennedy, who has invited him to bring a delegation of residents to Stormont, where they will have the opportunity to raise their concerns. He hopes they will receive a commitment to resolving the problem.

Councillor Uel Mackin, who along with Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan recently met with Senior Management in Roads Service to discuss the issue said they were calling on the Roads Minister to introduce a Noise Action Plan for the Drumbeg area.

“Over the past number of weeks Councillor Mackin and myself have been working to support the residents and recently met with the Senior Management Team at the Roads Service” said Mr Givan. “An undertaking has been secured under the Environmental Noise Pollution Directive to have Drumbeg considered as part of the Roads Noise Action Plan being taken forward by the Roads Service.”

Mr Mackin added: “In discussions with Roads Service they have accepted the noise levels have increased significantly as the traffic volumes have continued to increase generating more noise that is impacting on local housing.”

Mr Givan said the Action Plan could lead to mitigating measures being put in place that could reduce noise levels from the motorway.

“I have contacted the Minister Danny Kennedy urging him to include Drumbeg in the Road Noise Action Plan and to make it a priority for future schemes that would bring much needed relief to the residents of Drumbeg,” he added.

A spokesperson for Road Service confirmed: “Roads Service has received correspondence from the Drumbeg Residents’ Association regarding noise on the M1 in the area where the steel barrier was replaced in summer 2009. Roads Service has corresponded and met with representatives of the residents’ group and informed them of the Department’s responsibilities with regard to noise relating to roads. The Minister has also agreed to meet with Councillor Baird of Lisburn City Council regarding the matter.”