NOISE disturbance that has troubled residents living close to a busy stretch of road for decades is expected to be wiped out with major improvements.

Town and parish councillors and residents pressurised the Highways Agency in to reduce the effects of noise on the A19 and A168 Thirsk Bypass.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced a package of road improvements that includes significant resurfacing work on the Thirsk carriageway.

While the prospect of a quieter road comes as good news to both motorists and residents, resurfacing of the Thirsk bypass will not take place until the later stages of the programme, between 2007 and 2011.

Despite the wait resident and councillor Jan Marshall is thrilled with the news.

She said: "Finally the road will be resurfaced - that is absolutely brilliant. The noise on the road has been an increasing problem with the steady rise of traffic and something has needed to be done for years."

As a councillor for North Yorkshire County Council, Hambleton District Council and Thirsk Town Council, Mrs Marshall has been pushing for work to be done on the road, which was built in 1972.

She said: "Talking with all hats on, this is an issue that I have been keen on and have been pressurising authorities to deal with."

Coun Marshall has lived near the road on Woolmoor Close for 20 years and said the noise pollution was getting worse.

"I know I represent the many residents in East Thirsk and Sowerby when I say laying a quieter surface on that stretch of road is vital."

The Government's plans to resurface noisy, concrete roads are part of a wider programme that will also tackle congestion and safety problems across the country.

Mr Darling said the resurfacing work had been prioritised to tackle the worst affected areas first.

He said: "We now have a programme to remove concrete surfaces from the trunk road network that will benefit many thousands of households across the country."