It has become one of the busiest stretches of motorway in the south east and traffic levels are predicted to rise by more than 13 per cent in five years.

But as the number of HGVs using the M20 grows, a transport minister says there is no prospect of resurfacing the motorway between Ashford and Maidstone until at least 2013 - despite the scheme being rated a high priority six years.

Transport minister Tom Harris admitted an assessment made in 2002 had indicated noise levels between junction 8 and junction 9 exceeded acceptable levels.

But in an answer to a question tabled by the Ashford MP Damian Green this week, asking when resurfacing would take place, the minister said: “As the road surface between junction 8 and junction 9 is still in a structurally sound condition, there are no plans at the present time to resurface it for at least five years.”

Mr Green said he was horrified by the news, saying noise levels along the M20 could only get worse.

“It is frankly an embarrassment. In 2002, it qualified as a high priority scheme for resurfacing and yet here they are telling me in 2008 that there are no plans to resurface it for at least five years.

“At a time when traffic levels are increasing, particularly among lorries, the Department for Transport is letting people down.”

He was surprised that given an assessment made in 2002 had indicated unacceptable noise levels, no other assessments had been made since.

“There may be fewer people living near the M20 in the Ashford area than Maidstone but nevertheless, it is becoming a significant issue.”

The MP now plans to step up the pressure by asking ministers for a list of those schemes considered a greater priority than the M20.