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| Extra lane 'to ease congestion' | Extra lane 'to ease congestion' |
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| Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is to unveil plans to allow drivers to use the hard shoulder on busy stretches of motorways in England. | |
| The move follows a successful trial on the M42 near Birmingham, where the hard shoulder was used as an extra lane and the speed limit reduced to 50mph. | The move follows a successful trial on the M42 near Birmingham, where the hard shoulder was used as an extra lane and the speed limit reduced to 50mph. |
| It could mean drivers in a hurry paying a toll for using the outside lane. | It could mean drivers in a hurry paying a toll for using the outside lane. |
| But Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker described the measure as a "dogs dinner of a policy". | But Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker described the measure as a "dogs dinner of a policy". |
| In a keynote speech later on Tuesday, Ms Kelly is expected to signal that there are no immediate plans for a national road pricing scheme. | In a keynote speech later on Tuesday, Ms Kelly is expected to signal that there are no immediate plans for a national road pricing scheme. |
| The prospect of such a scheme prompted a record-breaking 1.8 million people to sign an online Downing Street petition opposing any such plan. | The prospect of such a scheme prompted a record-breaking 1.8 million people to sign an online Downing Street petition opposing any such plan. |
| Emergency refuges | Emergency refuges |
| She is likely to signal that such a proposal is "many years down the line" and that she wants to "tackle congestion now". | She is likely to signal that such a proposal is "many years down the line" and that she wants to "tackle congestion now". |
| However, she is likely to add that local road pricing schemes will be concentrated on areas where councils think they are needed. | However, she is likely to add that local road pricing schemes will be concentrated on areas where councils think they are needed. |
| The touchstone here is giving people real choice on the motorway network, so where people value reliability they have the option to pay for it Ruth KellyTransport Secretary | The touchstone here is giving people real choice on the motorway network, so where people value reliability they have the option to pay for it Ruth KellyTransport Secretary |
| The main focus of her speech is expected to detail plans to open up the hard shoulder of motorways for peak periods. | The main focus of her speech is expected to detail plans to open up the hard shoulder of motorways for peak periods. |
| It follows a successful year-long trial on the M42 motorway near Birmingham. | It follows a successful year-long trial on the M42 motorway near Birmingham. |
| Here, sensors detected traffic build-up, which trigger signs telling drivers to slow down and use the extra lane. Emergency refuges were established every 500m. | Here, sensors detected traffic build-up, which trigger signs telling drivers to slow down and use the extra lane. Emergency refuges were established every 500m. |
| If accidents happen, messages appear telling drivers the lane is closed, allowing emergency services to get through. | If accidents happen, messages appear telling drivers the lane is closed, allowing emergency services to get through. |
| Ms Kelly is expected to announce that a feasibility study by her department found vehicle emissions were also reduced. It is also cheaper than building new lanes. | Ms Kelly is expected to announce that a feasibility study by her department found vehicle emissions were also reduced. It is also cheaper than building new lanes. |
| A national road pricing scheme to replace other road taxes is undoubtedly the way forward, but this latest fudge from ministers will please nobody Norman BakerLib Dems | A national road pricing scheme to replace other road taxes is undoubtedly the way forward, but this latest fudge from ministers will please nobody Norman BakerLib Dems |
| She is also likely to say which other motorways could be suitable to have a similar scheme. | She is also likely to say which other motorways could be suitable to have a similar scheme. |
| Speaking to the Guardian, Ms Kelly said a "fresh approach" was needed to tackle the problem of over-crowded roads. | Speaking to the Guardian, Ms Kelly said a "fresh approach" was needed to tackle the problem of over-crowded roads. |
| "I want to tackle the problems of congestion wherever they occur, using all the latest technology available," she said. | "I want to tackle the problems of congestion wherever they occur, using all the latest technology available," she said. |
| "Traffic has grown faster on motorways over the past 10 years than any other kind of road. | "Traffic has grown faster on motorways over the past 10 years than any other kind of road. |
| "Motorways account for 1% of total roads, but carry 20% of total traffic and 40% of heavy goods vehicles." | "Motorways account for 1% of total roads, but carry 20% of total traffic and 40% of heavy goods vehicles." |
| Airport run | Airport run |
| She said: "If you are thinking of an existing three-lane motorway, and you open up a fourth lane, one of those lanes might be a reserved lane, and by doing that people can put a premium on reliability. | She said: "If you are thinking of an existing three-lane motorway, and you open up a fourth lane, one of those lanes might be a reserved lane, and by doing that people can put a premium on reliability. |
| "You could imagine a stretch on the way to the airport, or wherever it is essential to get to your destination on time. | "You could imagine a stretch on the way to the airport, or wherever it is essential to get to your destination on time. |
| "The touchstone here is giving people real choice on the motorway network, so where people value reliability they have the option to pay for it. | "The touchstone here is giving people real choice on the motorway network, so where people value reliability they have the option to pay for it. |
| "Everyone else would have the choice of remaining in the existing three lanes. It is a win-win situation." | "Everyone else would have the choice of remaining in the existing three lanes. It is a win-win situation." |
| Confusion? | Confusion? |
| But Mr Baker said: "A national road pricing scheme to replace other road taxes is undoubtedly the way forward, but this latest fudge from ministers will please nobody. | But Mr Baker said: "A national road pricing scheme to replace other road taxes is undoubtedly the way forward, but this latest fudge from ministers will please nobody. |
| "It confuses the purpose of a hard shoulder, which we have been told for decades exists for safety reasons. Now it will become partly pay-if-you-want, partly share-if-you-want and partly for emergency vehicles." | "It confuses the purpose of a hard shoulder, which we have been told for decades exists for safety reasons. Now it will become partly pay-if-you-want, partly share-if-you-want and partly for emergency vehicles." |
| Chris Glen, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said his colleagues were "firmly opposed to road pricing where there are no toll-free alternatives". | Chris Glen, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said his colleagues were "firmly opposed to road pricing where there are no toll-free alternatives". |
| "We are pleased that the government has listened to our concerns. This is a good first step, but we still need a better road network and a more integrated transport system to safeguard UK competitiveness." | "We are pleased that the government has listened to our concerns. This is a good first step, but we still need a better road network and a more integrated transport system to safeguard UK competitiveness." |
| Driving on the hard shoulder is well established in some European countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands. | Driving on the hard shoulder is well established in some European countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands. |