THE first ever scheme allowing drivers to use the hard shoulder between junction slips roads has launched on the M42.
Bosses hope the move will ease congestion between junction 4 and 6 as about 90 per cent of traffic stays on the M42 at junction 5. Overhead electronic signs will indicate which lanes are open.
Transport Minister Chris Mole said in a statement: “Hard shoulder running has already made journeys on the M42 near Birmingham safer and more reliable.
“To maximise these benefits and further increase capacity the Highways Agency is now making more of the hard shoulder available to traffic at busy times.
“Through-junction running is just one of the measures taken by the Highways Agency to increase capacity, reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability and safety on our motorways.”
Derek Turner, Highways Agency director of network operations said: “This scheme should offer even greater safety benefits because traffic will be able to stay in lane at the junction, rather then having to move over when the hard shoulder ends.”
