Highways Agency
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Increased speed limit during hard shoulder running on M42 goes ahead
Motorists on a section of the M42 will be allowed to drive on the hard shoulder at up to 60mph from today, following a detailed safety study, as the Government steps up work on new congestion-busting techniques proposed for roll-out on motorways across the country.
The innovative M42 'active traffic management' scheme - the model for new proposals for similar schemes across England's motorways - has previously operated at a maximum of 50mph.
The Government undertook a careful safety study before giving the go ahead for use of a higher speed limit and this showed that there would be no significant reduction in road safety levels. Sites where the innovative techniques could be used in future were revealed in a Government report published on 4 March.
Roads Minister Tom Harris said:
"Hard shoulder running has proven to be a powerful congestion-tackling tool and we've announced our intention to develop similar schemes on the M1, M6 and M62.
"Now we're looking for ways to maximise the benefits of these innovative techniques - increasing the speed limit is part of that. We don't want to slow motorists unnecessarily when they could safely be travelling more quickly.
"Of course safety is paramount and we will closely monitor the impact of the speed limit increase on both journey times and driver behaviour."
The increased maximum speed limit will apply to the two and a half mile southbound stretch of the M42 motorway between junctions 4 and 3A, with the electronic overhead signs clearly displaying the speed limit in force.
For more information about Active Traffic Management or the Highways Agency, call 08457 50 40 30 or visit http://www.highways.gsi.gov.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. The Active Traffic Management scheme, which allows motorists to drive on the hard shoulder during busy periods, was proclaimed a success in October 2007, with the first six months' results showing significant benefits for motorists, the environment and the economy. Use of the hard shoulder in peak periods saw average journey times fall by more than a quarter on the northbound carriageway and drivers' ability to predict their weekday journey times improved by 27%.
3. Real -time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available:
* From Traffic Radio, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
* On the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
* By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).
* Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.
4. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary)
Issued by the Highways Agency Press Office.
