M3

Mrs. Maria Miller
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what (a) resurfacing and (b) noise reduction works are planned to be undertaken between junctions 5 and 7 of the M3 motorway; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether the Highway Agency plans to undertake noise reduction works of each lane of the M3 between junctions 5 and 7; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Ladyman
The Highways Agency resurfaced lane 1 Northbound of the M3 between junctions 5 and 6 with quieter surfacing in September 2001. It has a scheme within its current four year maintenance programme to resurface the remaining lanes of both carriageways in two phases between 2008 and 2010. A quieter surface will be used for this as a matter of course.

The road between junctions 6 and 7 is in a safe and serviceable condition and therefore there are no current plans for its resurfacing.

Noise reduction works, consisting of the construction of a 300 m acoustic barrier, are planned for the financial year 2007-08 for the northbound carriageway of the M3 between junctions 5 and 6 at Hatch.