Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Introduction
Plans to roll out a scheme to improve road safety and help reduce congestion through variable speed limits on the M25 junction 2 to 3 were recently announced.
The Controlled Motorway Scheme will be implemented on both carriageways of the motorway and is expected to accrue the following benefits:-
- Reduction in the impact and frequency of accidents / incidents;
- Allowing faster response to incidents and reduce clear-up times;
- Reduction in congestion at recognised bottlenecks;
- Achieve best use of the existing road space; and
- Provide faster and more reliable journey times.
The Controlled Motorway Scheme will greatly benefit drivers on this section of the motorway by helping to reduce congestion and make drivers' journeys safer and more reliable by smoothing traffic flows.
The consultation process commences on 5 May 2009 and will last for 12 weeks until 28 July 2009.
Members of the public, stakeholder groups, representative organisations and businesses affected by these proposals are asked to make contact with us to express their views. Comments are to be sent in writing to the address provided in the Consultation Pack.
A copy of the Consultation Pack can be downloaded here or by calling Paul Marsh on 01483 731197
What Happens Next
All responses received from consultees within the consultation period will be considered and responded to as necessary. Following the consultation a summary report will be made available on the Highways Agency website. The summary report will provide an analysis of responses received and provide justification for the selected option outlined in the Impact Assessment.
Subject to the results of the consultation; we envisage that the Controlled Motorway Scheme will be implemented in Summer 2009.
Download Consultation Documents
- Consultation Paper (PDF 2MB)
- Appendix A - Impact Assessment (PDF 333KB)
- Appendix B - Consultation Response Form (PDF 23KB)
- Appendix C - List of Consultees (PDF 103KB)
Response to Consultation Report - December 2011
Executive Summary
This document details the Highways Agency's response to comments raised during the 12-week consultation period on the proposal to introduce Variable Mandatory Speed Limits (VMSL) on the M25 motorway between junctions 2 and 3.
The consultation period started on 5 May 2009 and closed on 28 July 2009 and provided an opportunity for interested parties and members of the public to comment on the proposal (the "M25 Controlled Motorway Scheme").
Controlled Motorway Objectives
The proposed "Controlled Motorway Scheme" is a pro-active traffic management system, which when operational will meet the following objectives to:
- Reduce congestion;
- Provide more reliable journey times;
- Reduce the frequency of accidents;
- Reduce carbon emissions; and
- Reduce driver stress.
Controlled Motorway schemes also reduce noise levels.
Consultation Process
The consultation document "Controlled Motorways M25 Junctions 2 to 3 - Consultation Paper (December 2011)" together with appendices was issued as follows:
- By post direct to 70 stakeholders;
- Made open to public consultation on the Highways Agency's website.
The consultation encouraged representative organisations, businesses and members of the public to make contact with the Highways Agency and communicate their views. The results of this process can be summarised as follows:
- Twenty-two responses were received within the consultation period;
- Generally the consultees who responded gave their support to the Controlled Motorway Scheme.
The responses raised a number of issues which are addressed later in this report.
Recommendation
Given the positive responses and due consideration of the issues raised, this report recommends that Variable Mandatory Speed Limits (VMSL) be implemented on the M25 between Junctions 2 and 3.
The full report is available for download in PDF format below:
A full Impact Assessment of the effect that this Statutory instrument will have on the costs of the business and the voluntary sector has also been produced by the Highways Agency.
The full assessment can be downloaded in PDF format below: