Progress report

Following successful testing, new electronic signs as part of our pilot scheme at Croft Interchange - where the M62 (junction 10) meets the M6 (junction 21a) - are now fully operational and being used 24 hours a day.

If you are travelling along the M62 between junctions 9 and 11 you may notice these signs displaying mandatory speed limits and driver information such as warnings of congestion.

Alongside these new signs, new traffic lights have been brought into operation for use in the morning peak period (6.30am to 10am), on the motorway link roads from the northbound and southbound M6, in conjunction with the mandatory variable speed limits.

In order to keep our roads safe, motorists will be required to obey traffic lights on the M6 link roads and mandatory speed limits displayed on the new M62 electronic signs. If you don’t keep to the speed limit or fail to stop at the red lights, you risk receiving a fine.

What next?

The M6 and M62 are critical parts of the transport infrastructure in the North West which is why we have implemented this innovative pilot scheme and we will be testing its success.

Timeline

Date	Event
January 2017	Start of works
November 2017	Testing electronic signs
January 2018	New electronic signs in operation on M62 junction 9 to 11 and traffic lights in operation on M6 link roads at Croft Interchange

Why we need this scheme

The M62 and M6 are part of the main transport corridor in the north west of England. They link Merseyside and Greater Manchester with Yorkshire and Humberside. The M6 also links the north and south of England, as well as the north of England to Scotland. This area suffers from congestion. We aim to smooth the flow of traffic eastbound by adjusting the speed limit in response to traffic levels.

The scheme in detail

This is a pilot scheme which introduces variable mandatory speed limits via overhead electronic signs and signals on the M62 eastbound carriageway. We are also installing traffic signals on the link roads which connect the M6 (northbound and southbound) at junction 21A to the eastbound carriageway of the M62 junction 10 Croft Interchange. This will help make the best use of the existing road space. The two types of enforcement, mandatory speed limits and traffic signals, will be subject to fix penalty notices of intended prosecutions, to be undertaken by Cheshire Police.

Aims

The scheme aims to:

• increase resilience of this section of our network
• smooth traffic flows
• provide more reliable journey times
• increase and improve the quality of information for road users
• support economic growth

Roadworks and Events for England

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