TOWN watchdogs have written to road chiefs about motorway noise affecting the quality of life of Spa residents.

The Droitwich Spa Civic Society, which represents the views of town residents on matters affecting the environment and quality of life, has written to the chief engineer of the Highways Agency.

Members of the society wanted to express its great concern over the growing noise coming from the M5 motorway, which runs along the west of the town.

Traffic on the motorway, which provides a link to the South West, has been steadily increasing in recent years.

Committee member Don Walters said in his letter: "I understand from speaking to officers of Amey Mouchel (a road maintenance firm) last year that an inspection of the M5 road surface was likely to take place in 2005 or 2006. And if resurfacing was deemed necessary a new noise reducing surfacing process would be used."

He added: "As we have now reached 2005 and the noise problem is significantly increasing our committee feel that the problem should be brought to your notice and ask that urgent action be taken by the responsible authority to remedy the noise problem.

"Perhaps there are other methods like sound reducing barriers which could be used as well."

Don said that the problem over quite a large area of the town is exacerbated when an east wind is blowing.

Now the society is hoping the Highways Agency will be able to do something to tackle the problem.