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Variable limits to cut congestion on M42
Page 12
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ATRIAL BAN on overtaking will come into force next week for trucks travelling along a stretch of the M42 in the Midlands.
The ban is designed to reduce congestion and cut the risk of accidents caused by slow-moving traffic on a three-mile northbound stretch between J10 (Tamworth) and Jl 1 (Appleby Magna).
The daytime ban, which will run from 7am to 7pm, will be trialled for 18 months from next Monday. It will apply to CVs over 7.5 tonnes.
Transport Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman welcomed the move by the Highways Agency as a step towards making journeys safer and roads less congested. Iftikhar Mir, Highways Agency area performance manager, explains that drivers caught up in queues on this stretch of motorway become frustrated, leading to an increased risk of accidents and further traffic delays.
He adds:"The motorway here is just two lanes wide, with a long uphill gradient. and heavy goods vehicles make up 17% of the traffic. Heavy vehicles slow down on the uphill slope and when they try to overtake each other it can block the motorway and slow down the traffic for several miles.
But operators in the region have criticised the scheme. Les Haycox, owner of Warwickshire-based Les Haycox Haulage, says:"I think the ban is stupid and will only result in the slow lane filling up with trucks on that stretch of the motorway."
The cost of the trial is expected to be around £170,000, including design,signage and barriers.