We, the undersigned, call on National Highways, the Department of Transport, Bristol City Council, and Damien Egan MP to erect acoustic barriers along the M32 to protect East Bristol residents from harmful noise pollution, which has only been increasing over the past decade since Highways England first promised to do so.

The problem

In recent years, the M32’s road surface has been deteriorating, at the same time as traffic levels have increased, worsening noise pollution for its neighbours. Parts of the M32’s surroundings – including Eastville Park, Bridge Farm Community, and Glenfrome Primary School, among others – are in among the worst-affected parts of the UK for road noise pollution, with over 65 decibels average noise.[1] This is well above the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) maximum recommended noise thresholds to avoid long term health impacts​ of 53dB during the day and 45dB at night. Long term exposure to road noise pollution is recognised by the WHO as linked to sleep disturbance, increased stress, impaired cognitive function, and higher risk of cardiovascular disease.[2]

This isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a serious health issue that will continue to harm the life chances of anyone growing up in proximity to this road until something is done about it. In 2015, Highways England promised that acoustic barriers would be erected at the same time as repair works to the motorway between Junction 2 and the M4, but this has been repeatedly postponed and never implemented.[3]

The opportunity

National Highways are planning major renovation works on the ageing M32 viaduct at Junction 2 in 2026-2027. This is a multi-million pound scheme lasting several months, but National Highways have told us that so far they have only been assigned budget for repair works, not acoustic barriers. While these works are in progress there is an amazing opportunity to add acoustic insulation barriers to the existing barriers on the edge of the motorway. For relatively little cost, and at a time when the motorway is already going to have scaffolding up and lanes closed for traffic, this is a once in a generation opportunity to radically improve the lives of people living beside the motorway.

National Highway’s own website says that they “want to do all we can to look after the wellbeing of everyone who uses our roads and lives or works near them by making a difference when it comes to noise.” The same website says that measures “to control noise and install noise mitigation” are built “as standard” into new road schemes.[4]

The action

We call on National Highways, the Department for Transport, Damien Egan MP, and Bristol City Council to ensure that acoustic barriers are erected as part of upcoming maintenance works to the M32, for the sake of the health and wellbeing of all who live nearby.

[1] https://environment.data.gov.uk/explore/23743291-2503-45f2-a632-c7afef2e8809?download=true

[2] https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/71c1d252-463d-40a9-842e-5126d7fdbdec/content

[3] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-35152420; https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/fury-intolerable-m32-noise-major-5076597

[4] https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/environment/communities/noise/