M6 'eyesores' blight the lives of residents
Furious residents in Beechdale say the new gantries are 'monstrosities'.
The large metal structures form part of the Highways Agency motorway management of the M6, which includes the opening of the hard shoulder as a fourth lane and Emergency Relief Areas built on neighbouring land for broken down vehicles.
Alan Sanders, who lives in Murdock Way, said: "There's going to be flashing lights on these gantries, which will flash in our homes.
"It is just crazy. The gantry outside our homes is an absolute eyesore. The Highways Agency has not taken residents into account.
"When I look out of my bedroom window all I can see is this steel eyesore."
Walsall North MP David Winnick has written to the chief executive of the Highways Agency Graham Dalton airing his concerns.
He said: "I received a phone call from one constituent telling me his wife is in tears over this and I can well understand their concern.
"The fact is, in addition to all the night work and disruptions caused by work on the M6 near their homes, they no have to deal with this extra aggravation."
Jane Roseblade, who also lives in Murdock Way, continued: "It is absolutely stupid. The gantry is massive. God only knows how it will look when there are lights on it.
"I am 65 and I don't want this. It is disgusting, the gantry is a right monstrosity and when they open up the hard shoulder to traffic we will have more noise and fumes."
Mike Nattrass UKIP MEP has campaigned on behalf of residents, he said: "The installation of the gantries is a further kick in the teeth for the stressed residents.
"No one has listened to their justifiable comments at the planning stage. They already have the increased noise and pollution issues from the widening and now the blocked view.
"Why on earth these monsters must be built outside these houses and not on the next stretch of M6, which does not have residences adjoining, is an issue these road planners will not answer.
"Perhaps these road spoilers should be made to live next to the monster they have created."
The Highways Agency told the Advertiser that it is currently reviewing how the gantries will impact on residents' lives.
Senior press officer Mark Powell said: "We appreciate that construction work can cause disturbance to people living or working alongside the motorway, and we continually review how we can minimise the impact of our activities, including these gantries, on residents living nearby.
"We have already put measures in place to mitigate some of the effects of the works. Our chief executive Graham Dalton has visited the site and also met with David Winnick MP, local councillors, and residents' representatives to hear their concerns first hand.
"He has discussed the concerns with our contractors at the very highest level, and emphasised the priority that he personally places on minimising disruption and inconvenience."
Residents' Association Chairman Alan Sanders shows his disapproval of the new gantries outside his house on the M6 motorway.
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