A FOREST IS TO BE PLANTED NEXT TO THE M1!
(Though NOT in Leicester Forest
East/Thorpe Astley or Kirby Muxloe) Submitted by: Jim
on May 26, 2007
A forest is to be planted next to the M1to reduce pollution
and noise when the motorway is widened, it emerged today.
Source Leicester
Mercury 19th May 2007
County council leader David Parsons says action must be taken
to make the lives of people living near the road bearable
because of the expected increase in traffic.
Specialist trees would be shipped in from North America to
start the community forest, near Enderby.
These would include evergreen pine and lime trees, which
are effective at absorbing pollution and picking up dust.
The scheme will cost more than £1 million, with a small
amount coming from county coffers and the rest from the Government.
Council bosses are also calling for verges to be untouched,
sound barriers put up in residential areas, and a noise reduction
road surface to be installed.
Coun Parsons said: "We do not want any more land taken
by the road, because a large portion of this area is already
taken up by the motorway.
"The changes are a victory for people power, and it
is the first time the Highways Agency has changed its plans
because of public concern. That's to their credit.
"Many people close to the road are not happy about the
plans, and that's why we must ensure their lives are not made
worse by these changes."
In February, the Highways Agency offered a proposal for improving
the junction with the M69, after objections to an earlier
plan.
The original proposal was to create a flyover that took a
link road close to homes in Leicester Forest East.
Two new options would build a link road nearer to junction
21.
One would see the hard-shoulder of the M1 opened to traffic
during peak periods, while the other would see the motorway
widened from four to five lanes at Leicester Forest East and
Thorpe Astley.
The national scheme has been widely criticised because it
will cost £5.1 billion to complete.
A Highways Agency spokesman said: "Throughout the project
the agency aims to reduce the effects of noise generated by
increased levels of traffic on the M1. Noise barriers will
be installed where appropriate and the use of special surfaces
will control noise.
"Phase two of the project, from junction 21 to 30, is
in public consultation. The deadline for comments is May 31.
"We aim to announce the preferred route at the end of
2007. Once the preferred route has been announced further
detailed studies will be completed to provide more details
on the selected option and a further opportunity for comments.
"Through our discussions with customers, we know that
noise, air quality and visual intrusion are key issues."
Work on the improvements would start in late 2010 to be completed
by 2015.
Any trees will have difficulty establishing themselves in
the Leicester Forest East cutting. Part of the proposal to
include additional lanes will be the removal of all the existing
slopes between the Motorway Service Area and the railway bridge
and will have to be replaced with retaining walls.
For the full details and further information visit: The
Highways Agency website
Reminder The deadline for sending comments
is 31st May 2007.
You can do it online using the link above
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forum?
