Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

The Project

A daytime ban on overtaking for heavy vehicles on a stretch of the M42 has now become permanent after a successful trial resulted in less congestion and improved journey time reliability.

The ban came into force on 10th August 2009 and applies to Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HGV's) of 7.5 tonnes and over. These vehicles are restricted from using the outside lane between 7am and 7pm on a three mile stretch of the northbound carriageway of the M42, between junctions 10 and 11 near Tamworth.

The aim is to reduce congestion and cut the risk of accidents caused by slow moving traffic on this uphill, two-lane section of the M42. By keeping heavy vehicles to the inside lane only, the outside lane should remain clear for faster, lighter traffic and help ensure more reliable journeys.

On average, 29,000 vehicles use this stretch of motorway each day, and almost a quarter of these are HGVs. Before the trial, the motorway was often blocked by overtaking lorries going slowly uphill. This caused frustration for other road users held up in the outside lane.

The trial showed a cut in congestion and an improvement in journey time reliability and by making the restriction permanent people who use this motorway will continue to see these benefits.

Results from the trial indicate that overall average journey times have improved for non HGVs. HGV journey times remained unchanged in the morning peak and improved at other times.

The scheme has been made permanent following an 18-month trial and a public consultation. Road signs advising people of the restriction will be changed to reflect the scheme's permanent status.

The impact of the ban on traffic flows and journey time reliability will continue to be monitored to ensure the restriction remains a success.
A similar lorry overtaking ban became permanent in October 2008 on two stretches of the A14 in Northamptonshire.