'Innovative' tests to reduce congestion on the M62 start

Tests have started on the M62 near Warrington this week to pilot an 'innovative' way to reduce congestion.

Highways England will trial the project at Croft Interchange to give drivers 'smoother and more reliable' journeys along the eastbound M62.

The stretch of motorway, where junction 21a of the M6 meets junction 10, is one of the busiest commuter hotspots in the region.

Once testing is completed electronic information signs and variable mandatory speed limits will combine with traffic lights on the motorway link roads from the M6 to provide 'smoother traffic flows'.

Andy Withington, Highways England’s programme delivery manager for the North West, said:

The new 'motorway to motorway' system will be introduced in two phrases.

Firstly electronic variable message signs will be introduced between junction 9 and junction 11 displaying speed limits and congestion warnings.

This will be followed by the second phase where traffic lights will be switched on at the end of the link roads to the eastbound M62. Traffic leaving the M6 will be closely monitored and the lights will be controlled to minimise queuing onto the M6.

Mr Withington said:

The £7 million construction project involved installing some of the largest gantries ever used in the region to carry the electronic signs – crossing up to 10 lanes of traffic.

Money for the project is coming from a £150 million innovation fund, part of the £15 billion allocated to Highways England in the Government’s 2015 to 2020 Road Investment Strategy.

The innovation fund is designed to encourage Highways England to look at new technology or novel techniques to improve journeys.