The Secretary of State has decided not to wait for the results of a safety trial on the M42 Birmingham
to Nottingham road. He will go ahead with plans to remove the hard shoulder on sections of the M5 Birmingham to Exeter road, M6 Birmingham to Carlisle road, and M25
MAG raised it concerns with the
DfT that use of the hard shoulder to beat congestion should not proceed without the results of safety audits. The DfT responded that similar schemes in Holland had been examined. UK schemes would be
trialled. Each case would be considered on its merits in order to move the process along, but safety would not be compromised.
A study for the RAC reveals 83% of drivers think government plans to
let cars use the hard shoulder at busy times is a bad idea.
The research conducted by polling group NOP shows 84% believe the move would make roads more dangerous. Transport secretary Alistair
Darling is banking on hard shoulder running to meet targets to cut jams on the country's busiest motorways.
This proposal smacks of desperation on the part of the Government. It suggests
that Government is more concerned about meeting targets than it is in addressing real issues. It would be foolish to suggest that this is a simple problem as traffic growth stems from economic growth so
the issue is bigger than just transport, but if ever a sticking plaster were stuck on a major wound this is it.
