A GROUP of angry residents are demanding action to reduce non-stop traffic noise from the M65 which runs behind their homes.

The busy road is just 150 yards from the back gardens of the protesters' homes in Blackburn Road, Darwen, who claim they are suffering their own form of motorway madness.

Before the Blackburn Southern Bypass was built, the residents were told that the new road would be edged by fences and barriers, which would reduce noise.

But six months after the completion of the motorway the householders say that they are still being kept awake by the passing traffic and that the number of vehicles using Blackburn Road had increased greatly.

Harold and Dorothy Blackwell, who live approximately 150 yards from the motorway, told Darwen MP Janet Anderson, that the only fences to have been put up were the ones around the slip road and that they could see the lorries down to their wheels on the motorway bridge.

Mr Blackwell said: "It's like living next to an airport. I can't sleep at night without the windows open but it's too noisy now.

"There's a school nearby which has been protected from the motorway by barriers and people are only in there about six hours a day."

Preston surveyor and valuer, Mr Andrew Kirkham, who has been representing the residents, and Mrs Anderson, have both contacted the Highways Agency on their behalf.

A member of the Project Management Team, Mr John Dutson, replied to the letters, explaining that the Highways Agency had done all it had promised.

Mr Dutson said: "We have put up quite an extensive mounding and heavy duty fencing but naturally at some points the noise reduction from the motorway is less effective.

"I have explained to Mr Kirkham that we did consider specific noise barriers but technically it is very difficult to achieve, being perched on an embankment.

"We have finished our contractual work and we have carried out the promises we said we would do."

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