A COMMUNITY plagued by noise from a flyover bridge has had its “worst fears come true” after repairs to alleviate the noise made it worse.

Residents of Littledale, Dartford, campaigned for more than two years before the Highways Agency addressed the initial issue on February 26.

The agency spent £200,000 on replacing the viaduct’s expansion joints, which ‘thudded’ when heavy vehicles travelled over them.

But according to residents, although the noise has been removed, it has been replaced by a more “intrusive clanging” one.

Littledale resident Simon Amos, who previously told News Shopper the noise had been unbearable, says he is disappointed with the result.

He said: “Everyone was holding their breath and hoped for improvements, but we’ve been left with a different noise altogether- an intrusive clanging one.

“Further investigation is needed, and urgently, because at the moment our worst fears have come true - the noise has gotten worse not better.”

Resident Joe Chapman agreed with his neighbour, saying he cannot sleep because of the noise.

He added: “I think it’s time to get some compensation - we’ve put up with it for years.”

Councillor for Darenth ward Ian Armitt has received numerous emails from concerned residents and is lobbying the agency to resolve the problem.

A spokeswoman for The Highways Agency told News Shopper it is trialling the new expansion joints, which have never been used in the UK before.

She added: “Noise monitoring was carried out before and after the joints were installed and we are currently evaluating the data.”