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Active Traffic Management

The Birmingham Motorway ‘Box’

The success of Active Traffic Management on the M42 means that the Highways Agency has been asked by the Department for Transport to extend the scheme to some of the motorways around Birmingham, colloquially known as the Birmingham Motorway Box.

Mott MacDonald, on behalf of the Highways Agency are currently conducting some research into usage of motorways around the Birmingham area.

The survey takes about 5 - 10 minutes to complete and will help the Agency better understand perceptions of drivers, like yourself, on those motorways and tailor solutions to meet your needs.

We would therefore really appreciate it if you could help us by completing this survey. All answers given will be treated in the strictest confidence in accordance with the Market Research Society Code of Conduct. Your identity will not be passed on to any third party. 

The extension of Active Traffic Management will incorporate variable speed limits and hard shoulder running in two phases and in the following locations:

Phase 1

  • M40 junction 16 – M42 junction 3A – variable speed limits to control the speed and flow of the traffic as it approaches the current Active Traffic Management stretch. This will help prevent the breakdown of traffic flow as the motorways merge. 
  • M42 junction 7 – 9 – variable speed limits to control the speed and flow of traffic as it leaves the current Active Traffic Management stretch. This will help smooth the flow of traffic leaving and joining the M42 for the M6 and M6 (Toll)
  • M6 junction 4 – 5 – variable speed limits and hard shoulder running. This is a very busy stretch of the M6 and will benefit from an additional lane at busy times, making hard shoulder running an ideal solution. The section between 4A and 4 southbound will use variable speed limits only, and not hard shoulder running.

Phase 2

  • M6 junction 8 – 10A – variable speed limits and hard shoulder running. This stretch of the M6 between the M54 at junction 10A and the M5 at junction 8 is one of the busiest stretches of motorway in the whole country and will benefit from an additional lane at busy times, making hard shoulder running an ideal solution.

Work on the £150m scheme is due to begin in Autumn 2008, with work on phase two beginning in early 2009. Phase one is due for completion by the end of 2009 and phase 2 by spring 2011. We are looking to keep three lanes open during the road works in busy periods although occasional weekend and evening closures will be necessary.