The power generated would feed into the local grid and help fund the estimated £9m cost of the barriers.

Local residents have been hit by excessive noise on the route which is heavily used by lorries.

The Agency has now completed a feasibility study into the scheme on the route operated under a 30-year DBFO deal by the Carillion-led UK Highways.

More detailed plans will now be drawn-up with the hope of constructing a pilot scheme next year.

The Agency will also be drawing-up a specification for manufacturers to design the “photovoltaic enabled noise barrier”.

Ginny Clarke, Chief Highway Engineer at the Highways Agency, said: “We are committed to our environmental responsibilities and now we’re going to take the idea to the next step by looking in real detail how we could use these barriers, which, if constructed, would be a first on roads managed by the Highways Agency.”