CAMPAIGNERS for a sound barrier by the A4 received encouragement this week from MP Ann Keen and the Vice Chair of Transport for London, Dave Wetzel.

Local residents in Wolseley Gardens, whose houses back onto the beginning of the A4 are continuing their campaign for actions to be taken to protect them from the increasing noise pollution.

Homeowner, Chris Allsop, said: When we bought the house, apart from the rush hour there was only a general hum, but now the traffic and noise have increased so much and the rush hour lasts three hours twice a day. London is a twenty four hour city, the traffic just doesn't stop.''

Local MP Ann Keen was sympathetic saying: I'm totally in support of this. We really need residents to have sound protection. The area (The green in between the houses and the A4) has great potential and is under used, predominantly because of the noise. Working together, we can work through the problems here, starting with the noise, then target other issues like graffiti.''

When asked what he was going to do about the situation, Dave Wetzel said: This is purely an exploratory visit, I've just come down to see and hear the problems for myself. There is no ready solution, but there is undoubtedly a problem.''

However, living in Brentford, he also stressed that the problems with Wolseley Gardens were not unique and that the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, was concerned about noise pollution throughout the city.

We do need to be doing more on the environmental front, but we have a very tight budget and a huge demand.''

He suggested solar panelling advertising hoardings as a possible win:win'' situation, providing the residents with a sound and visual barrier and being funded by the advertisers, therefore, not draining resources from the council's fund. If it's a choice between nothing or advertising hoardings, which'll pay for the whole thing, it sounds like a win:win situation.''

He advised the residents to contact Hounslow Council's planning department to see if 'in principle' they would agree to advertising hoardings. Ann Keen, pledged to write on the residents' behalf and Dave Wetzel stated, that if the 'in principle' go ahead was given, then he would set a meeting up with contractors and TfL to try and progress the matter further. If we want people to live in a city, we've got to make it ambient to live in.''

Chris Allsop concluded: Anything we can get will be a major improvement on this. A barrier would also help with the visual intrusion, especially in winter, when you can see the traffic.''

May 30, 2003 11:30