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31/08/2006
Hard shoulder to be opened to motorists
Motorists in the West Midlands will become the first in Britain to use the hard shoulder as a running lane, from September 12, in a bid to cut congestion during busy periods.
The pilot scheme is part of a £100 million Highways Agency scheme called 'Active Traffic Management', which aims to help keep the traffic moving by making the best possible use of the space available on motorways.
Drivers between Junction 3A (the M40) and Junction 7 (the M6) on the M42 will be directed to drive on the hard shoulder at times of peak congestion by hi-tech electronic signs.
A maximum speed limit of 50mph will be applied to all lanes when the hard shoulder is in use.
Emergency refuge areas will be provided behind the hard shoulder approximately every 500 metres to ensure that people whose vehicles have broken down have a safe area away from the traffic.
A publicity campaign, including advertising in motorway service areas, newspapers and shopping centres within the region, is being undertaken to inform drivers of the changes.
Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "This scheme is an important part of a package of measures the Highways Agency is using to cut congestion in the West Midlands.
"This flexible approach to opening and closing all motorway lanes, including the hard shoulder, to manage traffic shows how innovation and the latest technology can be used to cut congestion."
(KMcA/EF)
The pilot scheme is part of a £100 million Highways Agency scheme called 'Active Traffic Management', which aims to help keep the traffic moving by making the best possible use of the space available on motorways.
Drivers between Junction 3A (the M40) and Junction 7 (the M6) on the M42 will be directed to drive on the hard shoulder at times of peak congestion by hi-tech electronic signs.
A maximum speed limit of 50mph will be applied to all lanes when the hard shoulder is in use.
Emergency refuge areas will be provided behind the hard shoulder approximately every 500 metres to ensure that people whose vehicles have broken down have a safe area away from the traffic.
A publicity campaign, including advertising in motorway service areas, newspapers and shopping centres within the region, is being undertaken to inform drivers of the changes.
Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "This scheme is an important part of a package of measures the Highways Agency is using to cut congestion in the West Midlands.
"This flexible approach to opening and closing all motorway lanes, including the hard shoulder, to manage traffic shows how innovation and the latest technology can be used to cut congestion."
(KMcA/EF)
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25 October 2007
Government Plans To Beat Motorway Jams
Motorists will soon be allowed to drive on the hard shoulder of motorways during busy times, under new plans to tackle traffic congestion announced by the government.
Government Plans To Beat Motorway Jams
Motorists will soon be allowed to drive on the hard shoulder of motorways during busy times, under new plans to tackle traffic congestion announced by the government.
12 September 2006
Motorists allowed to drive on M42 hard shoulder
Motorists are now being allowed to drive on the hard shoulder of a stretch of the M42 motorway in a bid to ease peak-hour congestion. Drivers will be directed to used the hard shoulder on an 11-mile stretch of the M42 from southeast of Birmingham at certain times.
Motorists allowed to drive on M42 hard shoulder
Motorists are now being allowed to drive on the hard shoulder of a stretch of the M42 motorway in a bid to ease peak-hour congestion. Drivers will be directed to used the hard shoulder on an 11-mile stretch of the M42 from southeast of Birmingham at certain times.
18 March 2014
M4 Expansion Plans Announced
The government has announced plans to increase capacity on the M4 motorway. The Highways Agency has said that the planned expansion, which aims to reduce congestion, improve journey times and cut air pollution, will cost between £614 million and £862 million.
M4 Expansion Plans Announced
The government has announced plans to increase capacity on the M4 motorway. The Highways Agency has said that the planned expansion, which aims to reduce congestion, improve journey times and cut air pollution, will cost between £614 million and £862 million.
10 April 2013
Person Killed Walking On Hard Shoulder Of M25
Someone walking along the hard shoulder of the M25 in Surrey has been killed after a lorry hit a parked car around 04:30 on Wednesday morning. It is not yet known who the victim is but reports suggest that a man in his 50s was walking along the hard shoulder after getting out of a Ford Focus, which stopped on the hard shoulder with its lights off.
Person Killed Walking On Hard Shoulder Of M25
Someone walking along the hard shoulder of the M25 in Surrey has been killed after a lorry hit a parked car around 04:30 on Wednesday morning. It is not yet known who the victim is but reports suggest that a man in his 50s was walking along the hard shoulder after getting out of a Ford Focus, which stopped on the hard shoulder with its lights off.
25 October 2011
Yorkshire Policeman Dies After HGV Accident
A policeman in Yorkshire has died after being hit by a heavy goods vehicle on a motorway while attempting to assist a woman on the hard shoulder. West Yorkshire Police have expressed their condolences to the family of 41-year-old police constable Mark Goodlad, who was killed after a collision on the M1 Southbound at around 4.15pm on Monday.
Yorkshire Policeman Dies After HGV Accident
A policeman in Yorkshire has died after being hit by a heavy goods vehicle on a motorway while attempting to assist a woman on the hard shoulder. West Yorkshire Police have expressed their condolences to the family of 41-year-old police constable Mark Goodlad, who was killed after a collision on the M1 Southbound at around 4.15pm on Monday.
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