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Welcome
Smart motorwayM6 junctions 16 to 19
public informationexhibition
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
Making the motorway betterWhat we are doing
We are improving the M6 between junctions 16 and 19. Introducing new smart motorways technology will:
• Reduce congestion and smooththe fl ow of traffi c
• Improve journey time reliability
• Support economic development in the region
The M6 between Birmingham and Manchester is a strategic route that forms part of the Trans-European Road Network (TERN).
The M6 is also part of the Highways England strategic road network connecting the Midlands, the North West of England, Scotland and Wales.
It’s good to talk
This exhibition will give you information about what we are planning, how technology can work to help the road user and what to do if you are involved in an incident on the motorway where smart motorways are in operation.
If you require any assistance or want to fi nd out more, please ask one of our members of staff and they will be happy to help.
LondonLondon
BirminghamBirmingham
ManchesterManchester
LiverpoolLiverpool
BristolBristol
PrestonPreston
CarlisleCarlisle
Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
LeicesterLeicester
DerbyDerbyNottinghamNottingham
PeterboroughPeterborough
Southend-on-SeaSouthend-on-Sea
FolkestoneFolkestone
BrightonBrightonPortsmouthPortsmouth
PlymouthPlymouth
ExeterExeter
MiltonKeynesMilton
Keynes
OxfordOxford
ReadingReading
LincolnLincoln
NorwichNorwich
IpswichIpswich
LeedsLeeds
YorkYork
Kingston upon HullKingston upon Hull
GrimsbyGrimsby
M5
M4
M40
M40
M1
A1(M)
A1(M)
A1(M)
A1(M)M1
M25
M25
M3
M27
M3
M11
M54
M50
M6
M6
M6
M6
M62
M62
M6
M1
M5
© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100030649
Areas in blue are current or planned smart motorways on the Highways England network
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
Capacity
An objective of smart motorways is to improve journey time reliability. To achieve this on the M6 between junctions 16 and 19, we will be adding extra capacity by converting the hard shoulder to a permanent additional traffi c lane.
Vaiable speed limits
We will also use variable mandatory speed limits to improve the fl ow of traffi c at particularly busy periods of the day. You will fi nd more information about these features on some of our exhibition boards.
Improved traffic fl ow
The number of respondents who felt that use of variable speed limits would improve traffi c fl ow remained constant at 52% in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014.**National Road Users’ Satisfaction Survey (NRUSS) Advanced Reports, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014
Improving journey time reliability
Smart motorways - all lane running
All illustrations and photographs used in this exhibition are for illustrative purposes only
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
Congestion costs the economy
Congestion is estimated to cost the economy £2 billion per annum, with traffi c levels forecast to grow 46 per cent by 2040. Highways England recognises that effective management of congestion is needed, together with smarter use of our motorway network.
Encouraging investment
A functional transport system is important to encourage economic growth. If our roads are congested it impacts on businesses and can discourage investment. Reducing congestion, removing major bottlenecks and improving journey time reliability will help businesses in the area to be more effi cient.
Signifi cant benefi ts
Smart motorways deliver signifi cant benefi ts for the investment made because of the way they work. They have many advantages over conventional widening schemes, one of these being that for every £1.00 spent, £4.00 worth of economic benefi ts are expected.
Reducing costs
Smart motorways can be introduced without the need to take large amounts of land. They can also be delivered at up to 40 per cent cheaper than traditional widening schemes. We work closely with our supply chain to maximise effi ciencies throughout the design and construction process.
Supporting economic growth
Smart motorways have been found to improve traffi c fl ows and journey times
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
Looking after the environment
All of our construction works will be located within the existing highways boundary. The M6 junctions 16 to 19 scheme has undertaken an environmental assessment that covers a range of topics including noise, air quality, ecology, cultural heritage, water quality, drainage and visual impacts on the landscape. The results are presented in the environmental assessment report. The overall conclusion of this report is that the environmental impact of the scheme is not signifi cant. The full report is available on Highways England’s M6 junctions 16 to 19 scheme website.
Ecology
Surveys for protected species have been carried out. Great Crested Newts were identifi ed within ponds adjacent to the scheme. To ensure their habitat and life cycle remains protected during construction, mitigation work will take place under a licence granted by Natural England. A number of badger setts have been identifi ed within and around the highways boundary. Any works likely to disturb badgers will also be undertaken under a licence granted by Natural England.
Noise
We will be working to mitigate noise where possible. Consideration has been given to a range of measures such as the installation of noise barriers and environmental vegetation barriers, for example trees and shrubs.
Resurfacing of the carriageway will be completed with low noise surfacing. This work will be completed as part of the construction programme for the scheme.
Landscape and views
Any changes to the visual landscape will be minimal for most residents. The project will be re-using existing road gantry signs and siting new signage away from residential properties where possible.
Environmental assessment
Highways England contractors undertaking an environmental assessment
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
Conception
The fi rst controlled motorway opened on the M25 in 1995 and led to an improvement in traffi c fl ow. It was the success of controlled motorways that led to the M42 between junctions 3a and 7 becoming the fi rst section of our network to test hard shoulder running during peak periods in 2006 to increase capacity on the existing network.
The use of the hard shoulder
Data from the M42 showed a 22 per cent1 improvement in journey times, with accidents reduced by 55.7 per cent2. The schemes that followed on the M6, M62 and M4/M5 near Bristol operate as controlled motorways until busy periods when additional capacity is needed. Traffi c is then directed to use the hard shoulder.
All lane running
Highways England then opened the next development of smart motorways on the M25 between junctions 23 to 25 and junctions 5 to 7. These feature all lane running: the permanent conversion of the hard shoulder to an extra traffi c lane. The latest smart motorways feature four lanes open to traffi c supported by variable mandatory speed technology and incident detection. Emergency refuge areas are spaced at regular intervals along the carriageway.
1 ATM Monitoring & Evaluation, 4-Lane Variable Mandatory Speed Limits – 12 Month Report (Primary & Secondary Indicators), 30/6/15
2 M42 MM Monitoring & Evaluation – Three Year Safety Review, 2011
The evolution of smart motorways
Smart motorway emergency refuge area and superspan gantry showing speed limits (for illustrative purposes only)
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
The smart motorwayUsing technology to help you
The design of smart motorways - all lane running is not fundamentally different to the existing road network that does not have a hard shoulder. However, it has the added advantage of providing technology to detect and monitor traffi c fl ows on the network.
This is coupled with messaging systems able to communicate instructions to drivers, such as lane closures or speed limits. When used together, they create a controlled environment that leads to safe and more reliable journeys with smoother traffi c fl ows.
low noise surfacing
signs
new gantries
new signals
new CCTV cameras
concrete barriers
emergency refuge areas
message signs
traffic monitoringloop sites
technology ductingunder carriageway ducts
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
Where is the smart motorway?
20
19
76
5
16
17
18
A533
A533
A530
A534
A534
A500 A500
A500
A536
A537
A538
A537A556
A556
A556
A5020
M6
M6
M6
M6
M6
M56
M56M56
A34
A34
A34
A34
A34
A53
A54
A54
A51
A51
A51
KnutsfordKnutsford
ManchesterManchester
NorthwichNorthwich
MiddlewichMiddlewich
SandbachSandbach
MacclesfieldMacclesfield
CongletonCongleton
WilmslowWilmslow
Holmes ChapelHolmes Chapel
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
CreweCrewe
ShawingtonShawingtonNantwichNantwich
© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100030649
Exhibition venue locationsOur exhibitions are being held in both Sandbach and Middlewich Town Halls.
Lane closure signsWhen lanes are closed, signs in the verge or above the carriageway will display a red X to indicate which lanes cannot be used.
Speed limit signsSpeed limits will vary and willbe applied at times ofcongestion, to prevent stop -start conditions. Signs in theverge or above thecarriageway will advise thecurrent speed limit. If nospeed limit is shown thenational speed limit applies.
SignsSigns will advise you of anylane closures and will provideinformation on roadconditions such as severeweather.
Accident
Lanes closed
All lane runningThis scheme will have no hard shoulder between junctions 16 and 19. There will be four lanes permanently open for use by road users. Emergency refuge areas will be available.
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
What if my vehicle breaks down
As part of the smart motorway scheme on the M6 we will be constructing new emergency refuge areas at regular intervals between junctions 16 and 19. Drivers whose vehicles break down should try to drive to the nearest emergency refuge area, exit slip road or Sandbach or Knutsford motorway service areas. If a vehicle breakdown occurs in a live lane we set signs and signals on the overhead gantries until assistance can reach the driver. Once in the emergency refuge area drivers are encouraged to use the emergency telephone which will automatically pinpoint their location to the Highways England Control Centre.
Highway England can help you
Depending on the situation the Control Centre operator can send a Highways England Traffi c Offi cer or recovery vehicle to the driver, or advise the driver’s recovery service. We have further information and advice on preventing breakdowns and what to do if your car breaks down on our network on the Highways England web site.
Emergency refuge areas
Remember to use the emergency telephone as this automatically pinpoints your location
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
Changing speed limit signs
One of the key features of smart motorways is variable mandatory speed limits. These speed limits displayed on the motorway come into operation when traffi c volumes increase and the sensors activate lower speeds. Reducing speed during peak demand decreases stop-start conditions and allows traffi c to move smoothly.
It’s the law
The variable mandatory speed limits are clearly displayed on signs mounted either above each lane of the carriageway or on verge mounted signs which are clearly visible. The introduction of variable mandatory speed limits requires legislation in the form of regulations made under Section 17(2) and (3) of the Road Traffi c Regulation Act 1984. These regulations allow vehicle speeds to be controlled through the smart motorway scheme during periods of congestion.
Variable mandatory speed limits
Super span gantry with speed limit signs
MS4 with speed limit sign
Highways England – Creative M150107
Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19
Procedures for smart motorways
Incidents can be detected by using traffi c queue detection loops in the road surface that are linked to verge mounted CCTVs, or calls from the public via emergency roadside telephones and mobile telephones.
Where appropriate, signs and signals will be set to clear an access route for emergency vehicles. The signs and signals can then be set to protect the incident and the back of the traffi c queue.
The Regional Control Centre continues to monitor traffi c conditions throughout the duration of each incident to ensure that the signs and signals set remain appropriate to the conditions.
The Regional Control Centre is responsible for setting signs and signals to facilitate the re-opening of the carriageway and the safe dispersal of trapped or congested traffi c.
Incident management
Incident detection
Incident protection and clearing Incident cleared and smart motorway re-opened
Emergency service on scene1
3
2
4
Highways England – Creative M150107