RESIDENTS in Sidemoor have been having trouble sleeping this week after work began on the new installation of narrow lanes on the M5 between junctions 4a and 5. The work has been taking place overnight to prevent closing the motorway during the day, and has meant resurfacing as well as the installation of a metal safety barrier all within half a mile of Sidemoor residents’ homes.

One resident on Melbourne Road in Sidemoor, said: “The noise is pretty bad. We were just saying the other day that it must be terrible for residents who live even closer.”

On social media several residents from Lea Park Rise, Grayshott Close, Perryfields Road, and Pennine Road have mentioned noise loud enough to wake them up coming from the roadworks,

Another Sidemoor resident added: “It sounds like shipping containers being unloaded and dragged up and down the hard shoulder. It is most definitely loud enough to keep you awake, it’s only been two nights but on the first night I went outside as it was so loud and sounded like war of the worlds had started.”

Mike Mills lives on the motorway diversion route in Stoke Heath. He said: “We’re not affected by noise from the actual works themselves. What we’re affected by is the traffic problems that occur through the town because of detours.

“My son lives up by the motorway and he’s been kept awake the last few nights, but it’s only temporary. I live by the Hanbury Turn and all the heavy lorries are trundled along the A38 through the night, there’s lorries going past your window all the time. And this is not the only time, it’s been going on for a couple of years now. I’m writing to them now before I rearrange the top of our house to move the bedrooms around so we can get a good night’s sleep. When it’s impacting on your life you can’t sleep.

“I’m retired but if I had to get up for work after three hours sleep I wouldn’t be happy about it. We’ve put a mattress on the floor in the back room to sleep on. My wife isn’t sleeping at all at the moment, her blood pressure is through the roof.

“Last week we had it going on northbound and this week it’s southbound, but they’re talking about this project going on until next October, and our house stands off the road but there are some houses further down that are right on the road.”

A spokesperson for Highways England said: “Unfortunately, we’ve had to do a number of noisy jobs overnight here in recent weeks. This should finish next week.

“Eventually, the M5 from junction 4a to 6 will have four lanes in operation in both directions, helping to increase capacity and improve journeys for drivers. We’ll also install new low-noise surfacing, which should make the road much quieter for nearby residents.

“The scheme itself is due to finish in late autumn this year.”

Mr Mills has also spoken to Nick Cuming from Balfour Beatty, who is managing the project. He added: “He spent 45 minutes going in detail through what they were doing and I was very impressed with that. He said they did care greatly what the local people thought, and he also indicated that by the end of this project they’ll be finished with this portion of the motorway, which is a big relief.”

Diversion routes for the motorway network are decided by local councils. A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "As the local authority, the county council works with the Highways Agency to arrange diversion routes where and when required.  

"Alternative routes need to be diverted on main A roads due to the nature of potential traffic using the motorway. We take residents needs into consideration and work of this nature is often done during the evening to minimise disruption. 

"There are no alternative A roads for traffic to be re-routed around the M5 closure at Junction 5. However we appreciate there is some discomfort for residents who live along the diversion route."

Mr Mills added: “I do understand that progress has to be made, but nevertheless there may be other ways around the problem. I’ve lived here 20 years and its only in the last three years this has started to happen."