The Chief Executive of the Highways Agency accepts that the Agency has not been consistent in planning work to minimise the impact of the works being carried out on the M6 between J10 and J10a reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires.

The admission came in a reply to an email Ian sent to Graham Daulton, the Agency’s CEO, early in December. “Residents in the Short Heath and New Invention areas of Willenhall are living through a nightmare” said Ian. ” It began in the late summer when workmen began hacking down trees which form both a visual as well as environmental function in reducing noise and pollution to those living close to the M6.

“Since then, in-spite of protestations from local residents groups supported by the Lib Dem councillors who represent the area, large sections of fencing have been removed well before it was needed to do so. This has exposed those residents affected to the full brunt of the noise created by cars and HGV’s, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week” continued Ian.

Although the Highways boss has assured Ian and his colleagues that as a result of his recent visit to the area, systems have been put in place to ensure that contractors maintain the highest levels of standards and respect for residents. Ian said “I remain very sceptical of the promises being made as much of what the Chief Executive has promised was already supposed to be in place prior to his visit during December.

“In my email I asked for a meeting between Mr Daulton and all those councillors who represent the affected areas in order that he would have both sides of the story. To-date I have to say, no such meeting has been offered” concluded Ian.