BELEAGUERED residents living near to Lancashire's newest motorway have been given the go-ahead to claim compensation after property prices went into freefall.

The Highways Agency, responsible for the M65 which opened in December, is inviting people living near the motorway to claim for lost value to properties as a result of the motorway.

Problems such as noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke and artificial light at night have all been pinpointed by residents in and Darwen as reasons why it is becoming harder than ever to sell up without slashing the property price.

Even then, the prospect of living next to a motorway is still too much of a deterrent to find a buyer immediately.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency, based in Manchester, said: "Any claimants must have acquired the property before the road was opened and must still own it when the claims are made."

But any residents wishing to cash in on their misfortune will have to wait until December 15 - one year after the motorway was opened - before making a claim, and have six years in which to make a claim.

Money will be paid to owners of property which has slumped in value by at least £50, but by no more than £2,500. No compensation can be claimed by former owners of properties acquired by the builders of the motorway.

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