Managed motorway testing begins

The Highways Agency is carrying out five days of testing of the newly installed managed motorway systems on the M62.

The testing is taking place between junctions 26 (Chain Bar) and 27 (Gildersome).

The systems will be tested until Sunday (28 July). During busy periods, operators in the regional control centre in Wakefield will set overhead message signs to tell drivers they can use the hard shoulder as an extra lane and at what speed to drive (via variable mandatory speed limits) to improve traffic flow. Lane closure information (such as a red X) will be displayed as required.

Between junctions 26 and 28 of the M62, if no electronic signs are illuminated then normal motorway conditions apply (national speed limit, hard shoulder for emergency use only).

Highways Agency project manager David Pilsworth said: “We would like to thank road users for their patience. Work is ongoing to upgrade the M62, but where we can we are removing roadworks and utilising the managed motorway systems – for the benefit of motorists.

“The M62 between junctions 26 and 27 is the busiest section of our scheme, and we are pleased that drivers will soon start have more capacity and less congestion.”