Draft regulations for consultation: variable mandatory speed limits for Cheshire’s first smart motorway
Draft regulations to introduce variable mandatory speed limits as part of the planned smart motorway upgrade to 18 and a half miles of the M6 in Cheshire were published on Monday (29 June) for consultation with key stakeholders.
Highways England is planning to start construction work on the £192 to £274 million project between junction 16 at Crewe and junction 19 at Knutsford later this year. The hard shoulder will be converted into a permanent extra running lane and smart motorway technology installed to give drivers more reliable journeys. Variable mandatory speed limits will be used to manage traffic speeds and help reduce congestion, whilst enabling safe operation of the motorway.
Introducing the variable mandatory speed limits on the motorway requires new regulations. These new draft regulations have been published for comment with consultation packs being sent to key stakeholders, such as local authorities, transport associations and emergency services.
The consultation document is available online from the project webpages should any other interested parties or individuals want to comment. The consultation started on Monday and will close on Sunday 9 August.
Construction of the smart motorway scheme is scheduled to start between October and December this year.
Anyone wanting to know more about the improvements should visit the project’s webpages or call Highways England’s customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
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Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.