A STRETCH of the A38 Rubery bypass could soon have noise reduction barriers placed upon it as an experiment to see if it could help improve the quality of life of residents living nearby.
Concerns have been raised that the Longbridge development has led to more traffic using the main A38 which has meant an increase in traffic noise for residents living in Callowbrook Lane and other surrounding roads.
The amount of traffic noise was reported to decrease when the MG Rover factory shut but, with the new Longbridge town centre developing all the time, there are fears the situation will get worse again.
Noise reduction measures were due to be put in place as part of the new Longbridge developement but those conditions were not adhered to because of the economic downturn.
A lot of noise reduction measures could be costly so one idea is for special barriers to be put up. They would be attached to the railings along the A38 but there are fears over what they would look like and their effectiveness.
Coun Peter McDonald met with Highways officers on Tuesday (September 8) and a stretch of the A38 bypass has been chosen for some barriers to be piloted there.
Sound readings will be taken before they are put up and after to test their effectiveness.
Coun McDonald said if they proved beneficial with regard to reducing decibel levels and, provided residents were happy with how they looked, he would be working to find the cash to get the rest of the bypass done.
A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: “Coun McDonald met with highways officers today and agreed to have some trial fencing along a small section of the A38.
“This is to reduce road noise and deflect headlights away from the residential area. “
