M6 works keep family awake

A FAMILY living feet from the M6 roadworks say they have not slept since sound barriers were removed seven weeks ago.

Paul and Denise Clare, of Wood Lane, Willenhall, live with their daughter Vicki, aged 25, and two-year-old grandson Joel in the bungalow closest to the motorway.

They describe the temporary barrier which has been installed as nothing more than 'a garden fence'.

Now they have been told that roadworks might not be finished until March.

"We feel drained," said Mr Clare, aged 52. "We haven't slept for seven weeks so we can't function properly."

The self-employed plasterer already suffers with ill health after surviving three heart attacks.

He claims stress has aggravated his diabetes, causing his sugar levels to rocket. "I feel horrendous," he added.

Walsall North MP David Winnick has been lobbying for the chief executive of the Highways Agency, Graham Dalton, to visit the Clares' home and hear the noise for himself.

A visit is now planned, but no date has been set.

Mr Winnick said: "I don't see why, now that he has agreed to come out at long last, there should be another delay stretching beyond Christmas.

"It's important that he comes as soon as possible. I think it's disgraceful that constituents have suffered in this way."

A spokesperson for the Highways Agency apologised for the distress caused by the removal of the sound barrier.

He said: "This is an inevitable consequence of these important works to help cut congestion in the West Midlands and bring benefits to thousands of motorists.

"We are looking to replace the screen once all the verge works such as drainage, earth compacting and CCTV installation have been completed.

"We estimate that this will happen around March but we have already started work to install the best quality temporary fencing we can in order to minimise the impact on local residents. The chief executive of the Highways Agency will be visiting the area soon."