Contact: Richard Chinn, tel 023 8042 7000 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 On 9 December 2003 the Executive Member for Environment confirmed the following decision:

"That the Executive Member for Environment asks the Environment Policy Review Committee to invite the Highways Agency to an annual meeting concerning M3 traffic noise and other matters involving the impact of the motorway and trunk road network on Hampshire's environment."

1.2 Road noise, in particular which emanates from high speed roads such as motorways and trunk roads, is a continuing source of concern for local communities.

1.3 Corporate Strategy Aim 2, Stewardship of the environment, seeks to protect the environment by "promoting the principle of environmental sustainability and ensuring that Hampshire remains a place where people want to live". Aim 4, Building strong and safe communities, promotes partnership working, listening, responding and representing the views of local communities and "engaging at regional, national and international levels to ensure we can influence and shape policy". Partnership working with the Highways Agency on issues such as road noise and other matters will contribute to achieving these aims.

2. Background

2.1 The background is set out in the report to the Executive Member for Environment, attached as Appendix 1. Notes of the previous informal meetings of the M3 Noise Members' Group are attached as Appendix 2.

Recommendation

That, in the light of the Executive Member for Environment's request, the Committee considers inviting the Highways Agency and other interested Members to an annual meeting to discuss M3 traffic noise and other matters involving the impact of the motorway and trunk road network on Hampshire's environment.

8463/RC

APPENDIX 1

Contact: Richard Chinn, tel 023 8042 7000 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Environment asks the Environment Policy Review Committee to invite the Highways Agency to an annual meeting concerning M3 traffic noise and other matters involving the impact of the motorway and trunk road network on Hampshire's environment.

2. Reason

2.1 At the County Council meeting on 25 July 2002 Councillor Mrs Bailey, seconded by Councillor Mason, proposed a motion concerning traffic noise adjacent to the M3 motorway.

2.2 The Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Estlin, with the agreement of Councillor Mrs Bailey, proposed an amendment to the wording so that the matter could be taken forward with County Councillors and other partners.

2.3 The amendment was carried and it was ordered:

"That this Council, in line with its policies on improving the environment for our residents, work to bring forward the date of the resurfacing of the M3 with a low noise surface, particularly between Junctions 4 to 4A and 10 to 13 and any other seriously affected section, and should also support improved noise barriers along the most densely populated sections".

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To continue with the current informal meetings would not best serve the County Council's interests.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Background

7.1 A meeting took place with the Highways Agency on 11 February 2003. Twelve local Members, whose electoral divisions adjoin or have the M3 running through them, attended the meeting which was chaired by Councillor Glen.

7.2 The following points were agreed:

(i) a partnership approach was needed to address issues of motorway noise;

(ii) regular meetings would be helpful;

(iii) `quick wins' should be discussed at the next meeting; and

(iv) local Members of Parliament could be engaged (to act as a lobby).

7.3 Two further meetings were held with the Highways Agency on 23 July and 26 November 2003. Discussion took place on issues both related and unrelated to M3 traffic noise, some of which were of a much broader, cross-cutting nature. The broader discussions touched on areas that in future would best be addressed by the Environment Policy Review Committee.

7.4 To keep the matter of M3 noise under review and allow ongoing, broader debate, it would be sensible to discontinue the M3 noise meetings and refer this and other matters concerning the impact of the motorway and trunk road network on Hampshire's environment to the Environment Policy Review Committee.

8407/RC