Sections of M25's hard shoulder to serve as permanent driving lanes

Date: 20/6/2013

The UK’s Highways Agency is looking to open certain sections of the M25's hard shoulder as permanent driving lanes under a £300 million scheme designed to tackle congestion on the motorway.

The project is considered a cheaper alternative to large scale widening work, and research has been undertaken at TRL using their full mission driving simulator DigiCar, to test optimum design configurations and to look at driver behaviour and understanding of the new concept.

While it was initially suggested that the hard shoulder would only be open during rush hour, it has been decided that drivers will be able to use certain sections at any time of the day.

However, Paul Watters from the AA said that more safeguards need to be put in place if the scheme is to be a success, with the authorities needing to ensure motorists are not at risk if their vehicles break down.

As well as the M25, the M3 will also see specified areas of its hard shoulder become a permanent driving lane.  

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News, Transport Consulting News and TRL Ltd