RESIDENTS in Halton have welcomed the completion of a £2.8 million resurfacing of the M6 with a special "silent" surface.

They have written to the Highways Agency thanking them for laying the special noise reducing, silent covering, which is equivalent to halving the traffic flow.

Work to resurface eight kilometres of the northbound carriageway between junction 33 and 35 started in September and now local residents are enjoying the peace and quiet.

Chartered Surveyor Cedric Wrathall of Knowe Hill Crescent wrote to the Highways Agency and said: "I live just 200 yards from the motorway and the difference the new road surface has made has been incredible. I have lived here for 24 years and as the traffic on the motorway has increased the noise levels have gone up. Now that the new road surface has been laid there has been an appreciable difference in the noise levels."

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