Excessive noise levels from the concrete section of the M25 between junctions 8 and 9 are detrimentally impacting residents living close by in Walton-on-the-Hill, Headley, Mogador and Lower Kingswood.
In May 2023, I wrote to the CEO of National Highways to highlight the issue and shortly later I was pleased to see that a 300m section of the clockwise carriageway close to Walton had been selected for a pilot to trial a new surfacing technique called Next Generation Concrete Surfacing (NGCS). The first phase of this work, which involved restoring and narrowing the joints, took place in September 2023. I have now been informed that the second phase, which involves making a series of longitudinal grooves (running in the same direction as the traffic), will likely take place in Autumn 2024. I have attached the letter from National Highways with this update. Once this second phase is complete, there will then be a period of monitoring to check whether the technique has been successful before any broader roll-out.
I am also continuing to work with my colleague Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council and National Highways to explore opportunities to plant more trees along this stretch of motorway to provide an additional natural sound barrier.
For more information on the noise issue caused by the aging concrete surface, please read my earlier article.
