WORK has started on a multi-million-pound scheme to reduce traffic noise from a stretch of the M27.

Both carriageways of the western end of the motorway are being resurfaced, using a sound-absorbent material, following a spate of complaints from people living and working alongside the Cadnam section.

The £3m scheme between Cadnam and Bunker’s Hill has been welcomed by Copythorne Parish Council, which has been fighting for improvements for 15 years.

Council chairman Stuart Bullen-Jarvis said: “The motorway makes a horrendous noise that affects the whole parish. It’s a major intrusion into people’s lives.

“On a scale of 0-10 it’s got to be somewhere around the seven mark – and it’s worse in winter because there are fewer leaves on the trees.

“Part of the problem is that the noise is amplified by two concrete bridges that carry the M27 over other roads.”

People hoping for a quieter life include staff and pupils at Copythorne Infant School, which overlooks the M27.

Head of learning Jan Thomas said: “The noise is something we’ve got used to, but it’ll be very nice if there’s a little less of it in future.”

A Highways Agency spokesman confirmed that the scheme was underway and due to finish on March 6.