Highways Agency

When should I use the hard shoulder?

Using the hard shoulder as a running lane

You should use the hard shoulder as a running lane, between junctions, under the following circumstances:

1. When the signal above the hard shoulder is displaying a speed limit and NOT a red cross or a blank signal AND
2. You are intending to leave the motorway at the next junction

OR

1. When the signal above the hard shoulder is displaying a speed limit and NOT a red cross or a blank signal AND
2. You are joining the main carriageway from the previous junction

Due to the hard shoulder only being open between junctions it is not possible to drive on the hard shoulder continuously along the length of the scheme. It is also unlikely that the hard shoulder would be opened along the length of the scheme, as it will only be used where there is congestion or an incident.

Stopping on the hard shoulder

You may only stop on the hard shoulder in case of emergency or break down and if you are unable to reach an emergency refuge area. Only in these emergency circumstances may you pass underneath a red cross without flashing beacons displayed over the hard shoulder. You must never pass underneath a red cross with flashing beacons.

Using the hard shoulder to build up speed when leaving an emergency refuge area

During normal motorway conditions and in Active Traffic Management without hard shoulder running you may use the hard shoulder when leaving an emergency refuge area, to build up speed with the main carriageway. Only in these emergency circumstances may you pass underneath a red cross without flashing beacons displayed over the hard shoulder. You must never pass underneath a red cross with flashing beacons.

During Active Traffic Management with hard shoulder running you should not use the hard shoulder to build up speed with the main carriageway. Instead, use the emergency roadside telephone to contact the control centre, who can advise you of how to leave the emergency refuge area safely.

Differences between the Active Traffic Management hard shoulder and a normal hard shoulder

1. The hard shoulder on a normal motorway can only be used in case of an emergency or break down.
   
   During high levels of traffic or an incident the hard shoulder in Active Traffic Management can be used as an extra lane to reduce congestion and therefore there are overhead signals above the hard shoulder to indicate whether the lane is available for use.
   
2. The line marking the edge of the hard shoulder, between the hard shoulder and the main carriageway lane, normally includes a raised rib, which vibrates the vehicle and makes a noise to the driver when crossed.
   
   In Active Traffic Management, the vibration and noise created by this line is reduced so as not to deter drivers from using the hard shoulder when it is available. Drivers will still be alerted by a humming sound when they cross this line.
   
3. Red reflective studs normally accompany the line marking the edge of the hard shoulder between the hard shoulder and the main carriageway lane.
   
   In Active Traffic Management, red reflective studs are being retained on both sides of the hard shoulder. This ensures that during poor visibility, e.g. fog, drivers are given adequate warning of the edge of the carriageway, both when the hard shoulder is being used as a running lane and when it is not.
   
4. On a normal motorway, you can stop on the hard shoulder in case of an emergency or break down.
   
   Whilst driving through Active Traffic Management on the M42 you should always aim to stop in the emergency refuge areas, instead of on the hard shoulder. The emergency refuge areas are located approximately every 500m, next to the hard shoulder.
   
5. In order to allow the hard shoulder to be used as a running lane it will be maintained as a running lane, including the clearing of debris, and winter maintenance, such as gritting.

Benefits of using the hard shoulder as a running lane

Using the hard shoulder provides three key benefits, which contribute towards preventing the break down in the flow of vehicles:

1. Hard shoulder running allows local traffic, which is coming on at one junction and off at the next junction, to join the hard shoulder from the on-slip road and travel along the hard shoulder and straight up the off-slip road. This means that they do not disrupt the traffic on the main carriageway.
2. It also allows traffic that wish to leave the motorway at the next junction to use the hard shoulder, which gives them a greater distance to change lanes.
3. Similarly, it provides traffic joining the motorway with a greater distance to merge with the traffic on the main carriageway.