Residents of a Warwick estate have been told soundproof barriers will be installed between them and a busy road near their homes.
The £77 million Longbridge bypass opened last month to ease congestion at junction 15 of the M40 but people living opposite on Chase Meadow feared they would be disturbed by the sound of passing traffic.
So far soundproof fencing has only been ins
talled to protect homes built before 2006 but after visiting the site, the Highways Agency has agreed to extend the barrier at a cost of £100,000.
Warwick Town councillor Noel Butler (Con, Warwick West) lives in Mander Grove. He said: "It is going to be a great relief.
"Before the bypass people who used the A46 had to go around the island. Now they can go straight through I think there will be a great increase in traffic.
"The extra noise and light pollution would definitely have made a difference to residents."
Cllr Butler asked for officers to extend the fencing at a meeting of the J15 liaison group in September as he feared the bypass could make life a misery for people in Gogbridge Lane and Blackbades Boulevard.
He believes the news will be welcomed by frustrated residents who fear the estate will never be finished.
He added: "This is very positive for Chase Meadow as we are still waiting for the community centre and nursery and for the roads to be adopted.
"It's all up in the air at the moment and now something is being done at last."
Highways Agency project manager Stephen Coe explained that officers originally thought a section of land earmarked for business development would provide a shield between the new homes and the bypass.
But as this has not happened, they have decided to fund the extra 250 metres of fencing and hope to complete the work by the end of March.
He said: "We only originally planned for the properties that were there and not any future development.
"But we have come to the right conclusion and have decided to extended the fence.
"From the moment I visited the site after the barrier went up it was quite obvious to me we were going to have a problem and we have had enquiries from residents and it was mentioned at the meeting.
"It will be better for the residents of Chase Meadow."
