§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to make use of hard shoulders on motorways and dual carriageways during peak traffic hours; and if he will make a statement. [115631]
§ Mr. JamiesonA pilot of Active Traffic Management measures between junctions 3A and 7 of the M42 will start in summer 2004. The controlled use of the hard shoulder as a running lane for traffic at peak periods or when there has been an incident will start in summer 2006. We believe that this will help to reduce congestion on this section of the motorway network. Motoring organisations and emergency services have been consulted as part of the preparations.