Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has plans to include any noise reducing measures to the imminent resurfacing of the M20 between junctions eight and nine; and if he will make a statement.

The forthcoming scheme between junctions 8 and 9 of the M20 is to retexture the existing concrete carriageway, rather than resurface. The concrete on this stretch of road has worn down and become smoother over time and so there is a need to install grooves to improve skid resistance, to increase safety for road users. The Highways Agency will resurface this stretch at the end of its serviceable life with a material that has lower noise generating properties.