Highways England introduced a 60mph speed limit on an eight-mile
stretch of the motorway between Holmes Chapel and Knutsford
(junctions 18 to 19) last night as it works to complete a major
upgrade to add extra lanes and new technology to the M6 by spring
2019.
The speed limit increase from 50mph to 60mph is expected to cut
journey times between the junctions by almost a fifth as tens of
thousands of drivers use the route on their way home for
Christmas.
It’s the first time a 60mph limit has been used for motorway
roadworks in the North West following successful trials in other
parts of the country.
Across England, more than 200 miles of roadworks are being lifted
in time for the festive getaway to help journeys flow more
smoothly and to keep disruption to a minimum.
Highways England will also be keeping motorways closure-free for
12 days over the festive season, so drivers travelling at night
on the M6 won’t be faced with diversions due to roadworks.
Highways England’s project manager Arun Sahni said:
The M6 through Cheshire is used by around 120,000 drivers every
day so we’re keen to do everything we can to minimise
disruption while the major upgrade takes place to improve
journeys.
We’ve been able to increase the speed limit to 60mph on almost
half the scheme in time for the Christmas getaway as wider
lanes have now been reinstated along this part of the motorway.
We’re also on schedule to complete the project by the spring so
drivers travelling along the M6 in Cheshire will experience
quicker and more reliable journeys in 2019.
Highways England expects to be able to open the first stretch of
the M6 smart motorway upgrade between junctions 18 and 19 early
next year, and has been able to increase the speed limit to 60mph
while testing takes place of the new technology.
A 50mph speed limit will remain in place for safety reasons
between junctions 16 and 18 due to construction work taking place
along that part of the M6.
When the upgrade is complete, drivers will be able to use an
extra lane in each direction – increasing capacity by a third.
More than 250 electronic signs will also alert drivers to changes
in the speed limit, lane closures and incidents ahead.
A total of 70 CCTV cameras will provide 100% coverage of the
route and allow Highways England’s traffic officers and the
emergency services to respond quickly to incidents. And 18
emergency areas will be created alongside the motorway to provide
drivers with a safe place to stop if they break down.
A similar smart motorway scheme on a stretch of the M62 in West
Yorkshire has resulted in commuters saving an average 30 minutes
each week, despite an increase in the number of vehicles using
the route.
More details on the Cheshire scheme are available on the M6
junctions 16 to 19 smart motorway scheme web page.
