A419 Noise Action Group Friday 29 th January 2016 A presentation and discussion with Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP James Gray MP

Agenda Introductions Background – Paul Hodgkinson Local Survey findings – Janet Sharpe Measurements – Ray Brassington Where to from here? Highways England Discussion

Introductions Paul Hodgkinson – Chair A419 NAG Ray Brassington, A419 NAG Janet Sharpe, A419NAG

Background The aim of the A419 Noise Action Group is simple: ‘to right the wrong’

Background 1993 Public consultation – during which no mention of concrete. The original noise assessment for this route in 1991/2 assumed a traditional tarmac carriageway. The designed mitigation measures for noise etc. assumed a tarmac carriageway 1997 Road opens 1998 First protests from local residents are heard 1998 Tests by CDC show concrete surface producing +6.5db higher than asphalt 2000 Highways Agency (HA) confirm no more UK roads will be built using concrete 2003 Govt. offers assurances of 10 year plan to resurface is still on track 2003 Govt. tests show road is 5db higher than predicted 2004 Local residents are assured by HA of the intention to resurface by In a letter to Geoffrey Clifton-Brown the then HA CEO declares resurfacing is now ‘unlikely in 2005/6’ due to funding issues 2006 The Times article highlights the issue of concrete roads 2007 Local protest group attempts to once again raise the issue of A419 road noise 2011 Local residents re-group and propose a more coordinated protest 2012 A419NAG is formally launched 2013 Local residents survey receives 500+ responses.

The facts This issue affects thousands of people along its 14km stretch No one is taking responsibility for the issue – HA (now HE), RMS, Government What was predicted in terms of noise increase is wildly +5db (the equivalent to 1 ½ time the traffic volume) Traffic volume has increased significantly and continues to do so – 45k vehicles a day at peak Since the construction of the bypass the attenuation effect of the fields has been lost by the water in the gravel extraction areas The volume of commercial vehicles has increased along with their size and speed which all contributes to more air disturbance and so noise The noise isn’t time sensitive - as the link between M4 and M5 the road is consistently busy throughout the entire day and night, including weekends

Householder Survey findings Summary of the Findings 97% of householders can hear the road noise 88% experiencing road noise consider it to be either ‘very disruptive’ or ‘disruptive’ to their lives 58% having to make adjustments to daily life, including:  Keeping windows closed, even in the summer months  Avoiding the use of gardens and outside spaces  Difficulty concentrating and relaxing 27% experiencing adverse health effects from road noise, including:  Stress and Anxiety  Headaches  Sleep Disturbance Ticking time bomb – health-issues related

Householder Survey findings “When I am tired I find it stressful that I can’t find any peace and quiet” Anecdotal Evidence from our Survey “The A419 can be heard throughout my house at all times. The constant noise is causing illness in my family” “Sealed up windows and I no longer work from home” “A very unpleasant experience akin to living next door to Heathrow Airport” “Sleep disturbances early in the morning” “We have to close the windows at night, but we can still hear the road noise”

Our own noise survey… In 1998 Ray measured noise levels at various locations where the road passed into CDC area One of these was Mill House Cerney Wick - level recorded 52 dB LAeq (15 mins) In 2014 measured at same location - level recorded 61 dB LAeq (15 mins) Increase of 9 dB over the 16 year period since it opened This equates to almost a doubling of the noise WHO states that outdoor level should not exceed 50 dB LAeq (16 hrs) Prolonged exposure to 55 dB can trigger raised blood pressure and heart attacks.

Since our launch… We’ve raised the issue with local media – BBC Radio, press, BBC TV Written to Defra regarding ‘hotspots’ Met with HA (now Highways England) Conducted two surveys – residential and *commercial We have the support of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Cotswold District Councils as well as local parish and town councils. Our own noise readings indicate doubling of noise since the road was opened Exhausted all avenues open to us regards finding out the truth behind any breach of contract (in the drafting or execution of) Road traffic has increased significantly in recent years, especially the type of vehicle The ‘Missing Link’ is progressing and will bring additional traffic volume and so noise *on-going

What next? We see there are three things we’d like your help with: Get the A417/A419 back onto the priority list for noise mitigation Examine the contract for the road build as a point of principle and: 1 - establish if there is issue with either the contract framework which allowed noise NOT be a measurement or, 2 – review if the contractor should be held to account due to use of materials and/or in breach of any noise limits imposed Explore with you other channels of possible assistance (i.e. European law) to help us ‘right the wrong’

Highways England

Discussion