M-way hell feared when cable teams dig in
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• Drivers could face months of disruption up and down the country if plans to update telecom cables along the verges of Britain's motorway network go ahead.
The Highways Agency is looking for a commercial partner to help modernise the telecommunications network on national roads. The deal will generate revenue for the agency by allowing the partner to buy spare capacity and sell it on to other companies.
The agency claims the proposals would mean better roadside information and traffic management systems and facilities for in-truck communications to warn drivers of potential troublespots.
But almost half of the existing roadside cables will need to be replaced to meet new specifications and the work will put additional pressure on Britain's overstretched motorways and major roads.
A Highways Agency spokeswoman denies that the modernisation will disrupt traffic "as most of it would be done from the hard shoulder". The agency's target date to award the contract is autumn 2002.