Buying near a motorway

Salemicus

We've seen a house we really love but - everything has a compromise - it is approximately 85m from a motorway. I don't mind the noise at all, but I'm concerned about the possibility of pollution etc, particularly as we have young children. I've had a look at this map which makes it seem like the effect is pretty small - according to that the pollution is far less than where we live now, which is nowhere near a motorway! - but I was wondering if there is anything else I should be looking at or concerned by.

My heart is telling me this would be a great house, but my head is telling me to worry about pollution and re-saleability.

moneysavinghero

Near where i live they have slowed a few motorway style major A roads down from 70mph to 50mph to try and reduce pollution. So it must be a problem.

You might not mind the noise but plenty of potential buyers will (also there will be a reasonable number like yourself that wont mind that much as long as they get good value for money).

Drawingaline

Our house is pretty close to a motorway and that wasn't even an issue when we offered. However my parents owned on on the same estate years ago so we knew noise wouldn't be an issue and it is well screened and I have never had an issue with air quality.

Dual carriageways or major A roads though, I possible would have. More stop starting and often less well screened.

AdrianC

Salemicus said:

We've seen a house we really love but - everything has a compromise - it is approximately 85m from a motorway. I don't mind the noise at all, but I'm concerned about the possibility of pollution etc, particularly as we have young children. I've had a look at this map which makes it seem like the effect is pretty small - according to that the pollution is far less than where we live now, which is nowhere near a motorway! - but I was wondering if there is anything else I should be looking at or concerned by.

My heart is telling me this would be a great house, but my head is telling me to worry about pollution and re-saleability.

It's a London motorway? Which one?

I'm presuming the reason you absolutely love it except for the motorway is because it's so much cheaper than it would be if the motorway wasn't there...?

Salemicus

It's the M25.

Yes, I am sure it would be more expensive without the motorway. But like I say, I don't think I mind the motorway very much at all, whereas it (presumably) reduces the price a lot, so it seems like this is a good compromise for us to take.

Is there a way I could directly measure air quality to satisfy myself on that score?

Mickygg

If you are worried about air quality, you can’t buy next to a motorway. In 20 years maybe but not now. 

Just imagine your children playing in the garden when there is stationary traffic. Will you be ok with that? If yes then no problem. Not me but then I believe pollution is a major cause of health issues. Others don’t. 

lookstraightahead

Have you ever lived by a really busy road? I lived unwittingly by a road that became an access road to the M1.
The house rattled, the traffic was constant, and I became physically and psychologically ill with the stress of it all. The most important aspect fir me when buying somewhere is traffic noise. I would rather live in a tent than next to a busy road.
im not saying you would be the same, but if pollution is your concern, it will carry on being your concern.

Salemicus

> Have you ever lived by a really busy road?

Yes, but not a motorway. Didn't mind at all. But your experience is certainly a data point.

> if pollution is your concern, it will carry on being your concern.

Don't see how this follows. I am concerned, but also ignorant. If I understood the situation, maybe I wouldn't be worried at all. The information I have found suggests that this place has less air pollution than the suburban cul-de-sac I currently live on, and that air pollution drops off dramatically 20m away from a motorway. But I don't know if this is real, or just cherry-picked and I am missing something.

Above all I want to educate myself - but in a hurry because the market is moving fast!

Mickey666

Mickygg said:

If you are worried about air quality, you can’t buy next to a motorway. In 20 years maybe but not now. 

Just imagine your children playing in the garden when there is stationary traffic. Will you be ok with that? If yes then no problem. Not me but then I believe pollution is a major cause of health issues. Others don’t. 

I'm assuming you're thinking about the rise of the electric car.  They will certainly help reduce tailpipe emissions but brakes and tyres shed lots of polluting tiny dust particles.  I've also read that over 30mph the predominant source of car noise is from the tyres.

As for pollution and health issues, while it's difficult to prove a direct causal link, common sense would suggest it must be a factor and studies have borne this out:   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17704116  
It was also directly and legally recognised in this case: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/girls-death-contributed-to-by-air-pollution-coroner-rules-in-landmark-case

lookstraightahead

Salemicus said:

> Have you ever lived by a really busy road?

Yes, but not a motorway. Didn't mind at all. But your experience is certainly a data point.

> if pollution is your concern, it will carry on being your concern.

Don't see how this follows. I am concerned, but also ignorant. If I understood the situation, maybe I wouldn't be worried at all. The information I have found suggests that this place has less air pollution than the suburban cul-de-sac I currently live on, and that air pollution drops off dramatically 20m away from a motorway. But I don't know if this is real, or just cherry-picked and I am missing something.

Above all I want to educate myself - but in a hurry because the market is moving fast!

What I mean is, if you are doubting it now, you are likely to always be doubting, and checking, as things change.

Mickygg

Mickey666 said:

Mickygg said:

If you are worried about air quality, you can’t buy next to a motorway. In 20 years maybe but not now. 

Just imagine your children playing in the garden when there is stationary traffic. Will you be ok with that? If yes then no problem. Not me but then I believe pollution is a major cause of health issues. Others don’t. 

I'm assuming you're thinking about the rise of the electric car.  They will certainly help reduce tailpipe emissions but brakes and tyres shed lots of polluting tiny dust particles.  I've also read that over 30mph the predominant source of car noise is from the tyres.

As for pollution and health issues, while it's difficult to prove a direct causal link, common sense would suggest it must be a factor and studies have borne this out:   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17704116  
It was also directly and legally recognised in this case: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/girls-death-contributed-to-by-air-pollution-coroner-rules-in-landmark-case

Yes I am assuming electric car becomes the norm. I’d never even thought of tyres and brakes being pollutants. 

I defo agree pollution causes health issues, it must do. 

I too have a child and I wouldn’t want to live near a motorway for his health sake, even if it was a bargain or the house I’d dreamt of. I just know I would be lying awake in the house constantly worrying.