Express & Star

Two-year roadworks scheme on M6 to end

Almost two years of misery for motorists will be over within days when a project to open up four lanes on a busy stretch of the M6 motorway is finally completed.

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Work has been ongoing to open up a fourth lane between junctions five and eight as part of a £126million scheme.

The hard shoulder will now be open at peak times in the mornings and evenings in a bid to ease congestion.

Speed restrictions of 50mph have been in place during the roadworks, adding time to motorists' journeys on one of the busiest stretches of motorway in the West Midlands.The motorway's three lanes were also narrowed during the work.

The Highways Agency has undertaken the project, which began in June 2012 between junction five for Castle Bromwich and eight for the M5 link at West Bromwich.

Two months ago the 50mph restrictions were lifted between junctions eight and six for Spaghetti Junction, leading to a trial period during which the hard shoulder was opened to traffic during off-peak hours.

And now the final few miles between junctions five and six will also be fully operational.

Overhead speed limit signs are dotted along the 10-mile stretch, with motorists often kept at speeds between 40mph and 60mph when queues are controlled by staff at the Highways Agency regional control centre in Quinton.

Work is continuing further north on the M6 where 50mph speed restrictions are in place between junctions 10A, for the M54, and 13 for Eccleshall as the hard shoulder is again opened up.

Speed cameras in place on the stretch have been branded as a 'cynical attempt' to catch drivers out, although bosses say it is due to the 'limited space' they have near the Penkridge viaduct.

The work is expected to be completed by spring 2015.

Once the project is completed, the hard shoulder will be opened up at peak times between Cannock and Stafford to keep traffic flowing. Up to 120,000 vehicles use the stretch of motorway every day.

Bosses said they wanted to increase capacity on the motorway and improve journey times.

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