This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7061188.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'Extra lane' scheme goes national | 'Extra lane' scheme goes national |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Motorists will be allowed to drive on the hard shoulder of motorways during busy times, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is expected to confirm. | |
| The "extra lane" scheme will roll out nationally following the success of a trial on the M42 in the West Midlands. | The "extra lane" scheme will roll out nationally following the success of a trial on the M42 in the West Midlands. |
| It is intended to ease morning and evening rush-hour bottlenecks. | It is intended to ease morning and evening rush-hour bottlenecks. |
| Sensors detect traffic build-up, which trigger signs asking drivers to spread out. Reports suggest the scheme will be introduced in the next two years. | Sensors detect traffic build-up, which trigger signs asking drivers to spread out. Reports suggest the scheme will be introduced in the next two years. |
| During the trial, a 50mph speed limit was imposed while the "extra lanes" were in operation. | During the trial, a 50mph speed limit was imposed while the "extra lanes" were in operation. |
| The report on the M42 trial is expected to show a 13% increase in capacity and a drop in pollution. | The report on the M42 trial is expected to show a 13% increase in capacity and a drop in pollution. |
| It will also say that journey times north have been cut by up to 25%. | |
| There are emergency refuges approximately every 500 metres along this section of motorway and that's where people can park safely if they break down Graham BowskillHighways Agency | There are emergency refuges approximately every 500 metres along this section of motorway and that's where people can park safely if they break down Graham BowskillHighways Agency |
| The BBC understands the system will be extended to the M6 near Birmingham at a cost of £150m. The M40 will also be included. | |
| Other roads to be considered include the M1, M25, M4 and M20. | |
| Nowhere to stop | Nowhere to stop |
| The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said it had reservations about the changes when they were first introduced on the M42, near Birmingham. | |
| Kevin Clinton, from RoSPA, said: "We were concerned that if the hard shoulder is used as a running lane, if there was a major crash it may take the emergency services longer to get there. | |
| "Or when someone breaks down, they may not be able to get their vehicle out of the running lane." | |
| But Graham Bowskill, from the Highways Agency, told the BBC that the hard shoulder would not be opened to traffic if there was a broken down vehicle on it. | But Graham Bowskill, from the Highways Agency, told the BBC that the hard shoulder would not be opened to traffic if there was a broken down vehicle on it. |
| "We do actually have cameras that are constantly monitoring to see whether there are any parked vehicles," Mr Bowskill said. | "We do actually have cameras that are constantly monitoring to see whether there are any parked vehicles," Mr Bowskill said. |
| "At the same time, we've built additional safety features into the scheme. | "At the same time, we've built additional safety features into the scheme. |
| "There are emergency refuges approximately every 500 metres along this section of motorway and that's where people can park safely if they break down." | "There are emergency refuges approximately every 500 metres along this section of motorway and that's where people can park safely if they break down." |
| The BBC's Nicola Pearson said the M42 trial found that lowering the speed limit when the hard shoulder was open significantly reduced accidents. | |