Safety fears as extra M6 lane planned to reduce congestion
Turning hard shoulders into a fourth lane on the M6 to reduce congestion could create a safety risk, it was said today.
Work is under way to create an extra lane between junction 10A at Cannock and junction 13 Stafford South to be used during heavy congestion.
The £90 million project also includes installing a variable speed limit system. The Highways Agency says creating a 'live' fourth lane will cut congestion and be safer for motorists. But it will see the loss of refuge areas for broken-down vehicles to stop and wait for assistance.
Paul Watters, of the AA, said removing a permanent hard shoulder would leave fewer emergency refuge areas that would be further apart, while Chief Inspector Mark Bowness, of the Roads Policing Unit, said it could pose a problem for the emergency services.
Cannock East councillor Janos Toth echoed concerns about the project. He said: "I agree with the principle o to cut congestion but I share the concerns of the AA and the police and hope these have been properly considered."
A Highways Agency spokesman said: "A safety report into the M42 managed motorway scheme showed accidents were cut by 55.7 per cent. There were no fatalities while the variable speed limit has been operational, while journey time reliability increased by 22 per cent.
