Congestion. Use hard shoulder

[fred22]

Congestion. Use hard shoulder.

 

If you travel around Birmingham on the M6 this sign is a common sight on the motorway network, probably on other motorways too.

 

What does it mean? The obvious answer (to me)is “ When the other three lines are congested” use the hard shoulder as a fourth lane.

Who decides what congestion is and what happens if you use the hard shoulder when the road is not congested? Does the fact that the notice is illuminated (even though there is no congestion) give you a right to use the hard shoulder?

 

As far as I can see, the notices are illuminated all the time and not just when there is congestion, in addition, the gantry signs giving speed limits etc are illuminated over the hard shoulder at all times too.

 

Does this only apply to the Birmingham area, perhaps it has been agreed that the M6 is always congested.?

 

Are the Congestion signs switched off in your area when there is no congestion?

 

I thought that when the idea of using the hard shoulder (when the road was congested) was first floated, it was expected that the “Congestion . Use hard shoulder” sign would be illuminated at times of congestion but switched off at other times.

Ministers interviewed at the time indicated that the hard shoulder would only used be at peak times

 

At present it appears that drivers are just using it as a fourth lane regardless of road conditions especially to overtake (or should that be undertake)

 

Anyone aware what the legislation that allows us to use the hard shoulder states?

 

[thebishbus]

I think you will find this only applies to motorways around Birmingham, like the M42, where the hard shoulder has been reinforced and new gantries have been erected. These show when they can be used, at at what speed. They are usually used at rush hour or other busy times, and it works.

Brian B.