Menu
20/03/2008
Drivers On The Fast Lane With Motorway Car-Share Facility
Britain's first motorway car-share lane opens today.
Pushed-for-time drivers will now be able to take advantage of the lane as long as they are carrying at least one passenger.
The scheme which cost £5.3 million links the southbound M606 from Bradford to the eastbound M62 towards Leeds, by-passing a heavily congested section where the two motorways merge.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "I think it's a really good example of how we can use the motorway creatively and make sure that people do have an incentive to travel with more than one person so that we can have a greener motorway system.
"It makes really good sense here. This is an incredibly busy stretch of motorway where I know people suffer from traffic congestion and traffic jams."
Last September, in a bid to cut congestion drivers on the M42 were permitted to use the hard shoulder as an extra lane at busy times.
Leeds City Council is now experimenting with infra-red technology which will count the number of passengers in each car.
The Highways Agency estimates that vehicles using the new 1.7 mile lane will reduce their journey by up to eight minutes.
Those found infringing the two-person rule can expect a £30 fixed penalty ticket.
(DS)
Pushed-for-time drivers will now be able to take advantage of the lane as long as they are carrying at least one passenger.
The scheme which cost £5.3 million links the southbound M606 from Bradford to the eastbound M62 towards Leeds, by-passing a heavily congested section where the two motorways merge.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "I think it's a really good example of how we can use the motorway creatively and make sure that people do have an incentive to travel with more than one person so that we can have a greener motorway system.
"It makes really good sense here. This is an incredibly busy stretch of motorway where I know people suffer from traffic congestion and traffic jams."
Last September, in a bid to cut congestion drivers on the M42 were permitted to use the hard shoulder as an extra lane at busy times.
Leeds City Council is now experimenting with infra-red technology which will count the number of passengers in each car.
The Highways Agency estimates that vehicles using the new 1.7 mile lane will reduce their journey by up to eight minutes.
Those found infringing the two-person rule can expect a £30 fixed penalty ticket.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 October 2004
New motorway signs pilot urges drivers to 'keep left'
The Highways Agency has begun a week-long pilot for two new motorway message signs which are designed to urge safer and better use of road capacity. Two new safety messages - urging motorway drivers to 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' and 'Don't Hog the Middle Lane' – have been in use on the M1, M6, M18 and M62 from 10am this morning.
New motorway signs pilot urges drivers to 'keep left'
The Highways Agency has begun a week-long pilot for two new motorway message signs which are designed to urge safer and better use of road capacity. Two new safety messages - urging motorway drivers to 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' and 'Don't Hog the Middle Lane' – have been in use on the M1, M6, M18 and M62 from 10am this morning.
31 August 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.
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.
10 December 2004
Congestion busting lane proposed for M1
A dedicated lane, reserved for vehicles carrying two or more people, is part of a trial scheme to reduce congestion and improve journey times on the M1 motorway. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced Britain's first High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) scheme for the M1 yesterday.
Congestion busting lane proposed for M1
A dedicated lane, reserved for vehicles carrying two or more people, is part of a trial scheme to reduce congestion and improve journey times on the M1 motorway. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced Britain's first High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) scheme for the M1 yesterday.
05 June 2013
New Fixed Penalty Fines For 'Careless Driving'
New on-the-spot fines for ‘careless driving’ offences have been announced by the government.
New Fixed Penalty Fines For 'Careless Driving'
New on-the-spot fines for ‘careless driving’ offences have been announced by the government.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Low cloud, mist or fog at first will clear through the morning to leave a dry day with some prolonged sunny spells through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 21 °C.Tonight:Dry with clear spells for most places through the evening and overnight will allow the odd mist or fog patch to form. Coastal low cloud spreads into northern counties. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
