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M25 ROAD WIDENING UPDATE

As residents may be aware, the Highways Agency is proposing to widen the M25 motorway to four lanes each way between junctions 27 and 30. Work is due to begin mid 2010 and be complete by August 2012.

The Agency held a number of public exhibitions over November and December which set out to explain the proposals and the impact on the local environment, this information is all set out in an ‘Environment Statement' (ES). This process forms part of the official consultation period which ends on 7 th February 2008. During this time the ES can be viewed and commented upon at Upminster Library, Harold Hill Library, Grays Library and Brentwood Library. After that date there is a period for responses to comments before the ES is lodged with the Secretary of State for approval.

Among the many comments we have received, noise is one of the main concerns. The Highways Agency advise us that this stretch will be completely laid with low noise surfacing and that strict noise control measures will be in place during construction. Another concern is the knock on effect of M25 traffic in Upminster and Cranham during construction. We have been assured that measures will be in place to keep the existing six lanes open during day time, however this is an issue which we will be monitoring very closely.

Further information can be found at highways.gov.uk or call 0845 50 40 60 anytime (calls cost 4p per minute from landlines).

Cllr CLARENCE BARRETT

11.12.07