Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Birmingham Motorway 'Box' - Managed Motorways Phase 2 Consultation

This consultation will provide an opportunity for interested parties and individuals to comment on the legislative changes, by way of draft Regulations required to allow for the implementation of variable speed limits and hard shoulder running on the M6 motorway between junctions 8 to 10A. Secondary legislation in the form of Regulations made  under section 17 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 are required to implement the Birmingham Box ATM Scheme.

The proposed draft Regulations will restrict drivers from driving at a speed exceeding that displayed on the speed limit signs or the national speed limit where no other speed limit sign is displayed. As actively managed hard shoulder running will be introduced the Regulations are needed to modify the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 (SI 1982/1163) to allow for the hard shoulder to be used as a running lane in certain circumstances.

The ATM scheme will enable proactive management of the motorway network in the area Northeast of Birmingham. The speed limits that will be displayed on the motorway will take into account prevailing traffic conditions with the aim of ensuring the smooth flow of traffic. The mandatory speed limits will be clearly displayed above each lane of the main carriageway. Additionally, the hard shoulder will be used as a running lane during busy periods.

This consultation exercise is concentrated on the draft proposed Regulations which are needed in order to implement ATM by way of variable speed limits and hard shoulder running. A copy of the Regulations is included at Appendix C. We would welcome comments specifically on how the draft Regulations could affect your organisation or those you represent. Please note that the Impact Assessment found at Appendix A includes both Phase 1 and 2 of the Birmingham Box scheme and was issued within the Consultation Pack for Phase 1 held in early 2009 and was signed by the Minister on 22nd June 2009 when the Regulations for Phase 1 were made.

The introduction of Variable Speed Limits and Hard Shoulder Running

The Highways Agency is committed to expanding the ATM Pilot project (variable speed limits with the addition of hard shoulder running), which has been in operation on the M42 from junctions 3A to 7 since September 2006. The expansion of ATM will contribute to:

• Reducing congestion;
• Providing more reliable journey times;
• Reducing the impact of accidents/incidents;
• Increasing information for the driver;
• Maintaining current safety levels; and
• Reducing driver stress.

The M42 ATM Pilot has provided additional congestion relief benefits without the need for widening or land take and has provided the tools for the Highways Agency (HA) to undertake the Network Operator Role.

The key to the success of ATM is the innovative 'Operational Regimes' introduced to make best use of the existing road space. An Operational Regime is the scenario or plan that the operator or system implements in response to real time traffic conditions. The Operational Regimes include the introduction of variable speed limits and hard shoulder running which use the latest technology to make best use of existing road space whilst maintaining and, where possible, improving current safety standards.