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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jamie Brassington & Estel Farell-Roig

Life next door to the UK's busiest motorway - and neighbours don't even notice noise

Some people living next to motorways may be unphased by this, with the constant noise becoming "second nature" and only noticing it when the traffic stops.

However, for others, it is a much more difficult reality as the motorways can be associated with fatalities.

Attached to a metal fence of a bridge going over the M5 in the West Midlands are some small posters which read "Talk to us if things are getting to you", with a free telephone number to call.

A resident of Sandwell - where the bridge is - say there there have been a number of fatalities.

Debbie, 57, whose house directly faces the M5, said she had witnessed three incidents in her 33 years of living there. .

She told Birmingham Live : "That is the bad side to living here."

But members of the community try to help those desperately in need.

Her husband has helped two people, she said, while children from a nearby primary school leave notes with messages of support.

She continued: "The kids come out and put up lovely little posts.

"One said 'you are worth more than you think' and another said 'there are people here for you'. They put some really nice things."

Debbie said the sound of traffic is not an issue.

Residents living by the M5 have spoken about what life is like (PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

Although the motorway has gotten "busier" over time, Debbie said the location can also sound like the "countryside".

"You get used to the motorway, the only time you realize you are next to it is when it stops, when it goes quiet," she said. "When we moved here, we knew we were living next to a motorway.

"It has got busier here in 33 years. But when it stops, that is when you feel you are in the countryside.

"There is no pollution or dirt, there is a big drop to the motorway. Over the road, they (the neighbours) are more susceptible."

Nearby on Woodnorton Road lives grandfather Brian Barrett, 61.

In the back of his garden, the sight of traffic flashes by through the hole in the trees.

But Mr Barrett doesn't mind it. A small chair is located near to the fence and Mr Barrett said he likes to sit there and take in the surroundings.

"It doesn't really bother me, I have been here for 14 years, we have just got used to it," he said.

"The cheapness of the rent was deciding factor in moving here. You don't see the traffic, only right down at the fence.

"You can see the traffic through the trees. There's a metal railing, it is safe for the kids."

Tej Panosar, 22 of Woodnorton Road, who has lived there for more than 10 years, said: "I have lived here for so long, you don't realize it is there, it is almost like second nature.

"I know we are the closest house to the motorway (on the street) but we don't really notice it, it is like background noise."

He added: "I think, when it's snowing, that is when you notice it because it goes so quiet due to a lack of traffic on the motorway."

A grandmother, whose daughter lives on Cakemore Road, added: "My daughter has lived here for 10 years and never said anything about it."

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