PEOPLE living near the M20 claim their lives have been made a misery after trees were removed, leaving their homes exposed to noise.

Alan Martin, 72, says he cannot even open his windows at night because the noise keeps him awake.

Mr Martin, of Keats Road, Larkfield, said the problem started when a bank of trees along the M20, near Junction 4 at Leybourne, was removed to widen the slip road from Castle Way on to the coastbound carriageway of the M20.

He is now seeking damages against the Highways Agency.

He said: “It’s horrendous. There is a constant drone from the traffic. It is making our lives a complete misery.”

A Highways Agency spokesman said people who were affected by the work had six years to appeal in writing and a noise assessment would be carried out.

He said: “Mr Martin’s case will be treated as an appeal. All cases are dealt with independently depending on a number of criteria, including relevant traffic data and the physical condition of the property.”

What do you think? Do you suffer from noise pollution from the M20 or other main routes? Email messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk