The MP has campaigned to bring forward the resurfacing work since his election in 2010 and last year took local councillors, as well as representatives from Shepherds Down School in Compton, to meet the Minister at the Department for Transport in London. He has met no fewer than three roads ministers' in the past four years to lobby on behalf of the area.
Steve Brine says; "We had been told the carriageway passing through Winchester and Chandler's Ford was unlikely to be resurfaced until 2020 at the earliest but I couldn't accept that because noise from the motorway is seriously impacting on peoples' lives in large parts of my constituency. The situation is especially bad for the children at Shepherds Down School in Compton and I understand it was their lobbying which really helped us get the Ministers' attention and ultimately this decision.
"This work has been carefully agreed with the Highways Agency to build what is required maintenance of the carriageway into the urgent need to address noise pollution. It is absolutely fantastic news for thousands of my constituents and, while we should not be tricked into thinking road surface is the sole cause of motorway noise, the lower noise surfacing material will significantly dent the din."
Pictured; Steve Brine on the M3 bridge in Compton with local campaigners
UPDATE NOTE FROM STEVE (Weds 3 Sept): It has come to my attention that certain individuals are contacting my constituents claiming credit for this news. I understand the temptation to do this but feel sad this is where it's got to.
More information ...
Daily ECHO report of the story (Weds 3 September 2014)
Eastleigh News report (Weds 3 September 2014)