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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| M42 hard shoulder open to drivers | M42 hard shoulder open to drivers |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Motorists are being allowed to drive on the hard shoulder of a motorway in a bid to beat peak-hour congestion. | Motorists are being allowed to drive on the hard shoulder of a motorway in a bid to beat peak-hour congestion. |
| Drivers will be directed to use the hard shoulder on an 11-mile stretch of the M42, from south of Birmingham and through Warwickshire, at certain times. | Drivers will be directed to use the hard shoulder on an 11-mile stretch of the M42, from south of Birmingham and through Warwickshire, at certain times. |
| A 50mph speed limit warning over the hard shoulder between junctions 3a and 7 will show when the lane is in use. | |
| A Highways Agency spokesman said the scheme was an alternative to widening the motorway. | A Highways Agency spokesman said the scheme was an alternative to widening the motorway. |
| Control room operators | Control room operators |
| Operators will be able to open and close individual lanes "within seconds" if they spot a broken down car or any other hazard, the Highways Agency said. | |
| Drivers in difficulties can also pull into new lay-bys. | Drivers in difficulties can also pull into new lay-bys. |
| Roads minister, Stephen Ladyman, said: "This scheme is an important part of a package of measures the Highways Agency is using to cut congestion in the West Midlands." | Roads minister, Stephen Ladyman, said: "This scheme is an important part of a package of measures the Highways Agency is using to cut congestion in the West Midlands." |
| The scheme was trialled between 29 August and 7 September so control room operators could familiarise themselves with the new system. | The scheme was trialled between 29 August and 7 September so control room operators could familiarise themselves with the new system. |