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Calls for faster M42 trial
Page 13
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THE GOVERNMENT is taking too long to tackle congestion on the M42. says the influential transport group of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, It says the government should speed up the trial of a 1.100m series of congestion-busting measures to produce results by 2006 instead of 2008.
The measures include variable speed limits and allowing traffic to use the hard shoulder.
In a letter to.liansport Secretary Alistair Darling, the chairman of the transport group,JerryBlackett, says: "It seems to us that at least 80% of the learning from the pilot will have been gathered within 12 months and that a reasonable assessment can therefore be made by the end of 2006. Thus the date for switching to hard-shoulder running can also be advanced."
Black ett says the need to combat congestion quickly is strengthened by plans to expand the NEC and Birmingham Airport, both of which depend on the motorway.
"Highway Agency forecasts from two years ago indicated that increasing the capacity of this motorway would be inevitable," he adds."While the present trafficmanagement system may make some contribution to reducing congestion on this stretch, it remains difficult to see how this can be a long-term solution."