A COUPLE driven mad by motorway noise which is ruining their retirement in Halesowen have been told nothing will be done until 2020.

The Highways Agency has confirmed "low noise road surfacing" is unlikely to be laid on the M5 until the 2020/2021 financial year.

Paul and Rose Edmonds, of King Charles Road, demanded fencing be erected on the M5 near Howley Grange but were told this was not possible either .

Paul Edmonds, aged 67, said: "What is really annoying is the Highways Agency building on the other side of the motorway has fencing to keep out the noise but will not sanction fencing for residents on this side of the road.

"And for them to say the low noise surfacing will not be done until 2020 is unbelievable, I am 67 I might not even make it until then, all I want is a peaceful day in my garden."

He added: "The noise is horrendous but hopefully through people power something might be done."

The couple moved to Halesowen 30 years ago and have the backing of their neighbours who also suffer from high noise levels.

Mr Edmonds enlisted the help of Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris in his fight for fencing on the M5.

After corresponding with the Highways Agency, Mr Morris said: "There are currently no proposals to install additional fencing on the western side of this length of the M5, as the decision to provide such fencing is defined by the environment legislation and highway design requirements."

Matthew Taylor, the agency's asset manager, said: "As required by the legislation, we consulted with Dudley Council in the summer of 2013 but for this particular area they had no comment to make."

"The preferred treatment for this length of the motorway will be to use a material with low noise properties when resurfacing is next due.

He added: "Present indications are that this should be sometime between now and the 20201/21 financial year, depending on the rate of deterioration.

"I realise this may be a disappointment to Mr Edmonds but I hope he will appreciate when dealing with noise mitigation issues we must target available resources at areas of greatest need."