Call for physical sound barrier to protect residents living next to A483 in Wrexham

Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton says residents living alongside the A483 are experiencing noise and air pollution from the dual carriageway.

Residents told the MP that the problem was exacerbated when trees providing a barrier between the road and their homes were felled without warning.

Chris and Gary Jones, residents of Hampshire Drive, said: “We have lived in Hampshire Drive for over twenty years and never before have we experienced the levels of noise pollution that we are now experiencing following the felling of these roadside trees. The lack of consultation with residents when the trees was originally felled was concerning, as is the lack of action now that we have raised our frustrations at local and Welsh Government level.

“The Welsh Government have continued to ignore our concerns and frustrations, despite the fact that mitigation measures and improvements are possible.”

Ms Atherton visited residents of Ty Gwyn Lane and Hampshire Drive in May at the time the frees were felled.

Sarah Atherton MP with resident of Hampshire Drive, Ida Turley, during a meeting in May regarding the increase in noise and visual pollution following the felling of roadside trees

Resident Ida Turley said: “Despite representations from residents, seriously concerned about the several unhealthy aspects of living by such a busy road - the visual impact, the constant noise, the pollution - nothing has been done to alleviate the problems. After well over 40 years of enduring these conditions we are told that other areas have higher priorities for noise and visual pollution abatement measures.

“Most frustratingly, all the ‘replies’ from Cardiff repeat the same monotonous jargon. They do not in fact reply to the points made and we are continually being fobbed off.

“When Sarah came to see for herself what the situation was, she agreed that measures needed to be taken to alleviate the unpleasant effects of the nearby busy road and she has raised this with the Ministers on multiple occasions but, once again, the Welsh Government has chosen to ignore the situation.”

After meeting with residents, Ms Atherton says she has attempted to engage with the Welsh Government to call for improved screening in the form of a physical sound barrier along the A483 to protect residents as well as installation of "whispering" road surfacing.

The MP said: “First and foremost, it is worrying that the residents were not consulted on the decision to fell these trees. Residents have noted their concerns about the lack of local engagement from the Trunk Roads Agency and Welsh Government and this must be improved going forward to ensure that residents are aware of planned work.

“It is clear that there is now a noise and visual pollution issue here that is negatively affecting residents in this area of Wrexham.

In 2019,

A 50mph limit was introduced on parts of the A483 in 2019 in a bid to reduce emissions after being introduced on a trial basis in June 2018.

In January, the Welsh Government said no speeding penalties had been issued on the 50mph stretches.

Ms Atherton added: "The Welsh Government did impose a 50 miles per hour speed limit along this section of road, between junctions 5 and 6 of the A483, but with no speeding fines issued as of the beginning of this year residents feel this has done nothing to alleviate their concerns."

“As such, I hope that the authorities responsible will look favourably on the requests for improved screening and listen to the concerns of residents, who I wholly support. It is of note that roadside screening is utilised across Wales to protect communities, so it is only right that this is done here too.”

The Welsh Government has been approached to comment.