THE campaign to lower noise levels on the motorway near Droitwich Spa has been taken a step further by town MP Peter Luff.

The Mid-Worcestershire MP has now written to Archie Robertson, the chief executive of the Highways Agency, urging a re-think over the minimum five year delay to the introduction of a low noise surface for the M5 between junctions seven and five.

Mr Luff has also written to nearly a hundred Droitwich residents who have contacted him about the situation.

In his letter to the Highways Agency, Mr Luff writes: "I regret to have to draw to your attention a major breach of undertaking given by the Highways Agency to my constituents in relation to road noise on the M5.

"You will be aware that the government's transport ten year plan, published in 2000, said that the target was to give 60 per cent of the entire trunk road network lower noise surfaces by 2010, and to achieve reductions in traffic noise, benefiting three million people living within 600 metres of trunk roads by the same date.

"The commitment to re-surface the M5 with a low noise surface was made most recently to me in a letter of April 8, 2003, from the agency. I find it impossible to accept that only two years after this commitment was made it has now been decided to delay this urgently needed improvement for at least another five years. Frankly a delay of one or two years would not have been unexpected, but this is a devastating blow to the communities affected by the high level of noise from what is an increasingly busy road."

Mr Luff also asked in his letter that the Highways Agency reconsider its decision.

A spokesman from the Highways Agency said: "We have received the letter and it is receiving our attention."