Truck-only lanes on agency agenda
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• Dedicated truck lanes on motorways and trunk roads could become a reality as part of the Highways Agency's new role in traffic management.
Divisional director Mel Quinn says it is looking at "innovative ways to improve traffic flow" and dedicated n-uck lanes could be part of that. An initial study is complete and the agency is now consulting the Department of Transport with the view to a possible pilot scheme in the next financial year.
The comments were made at a conference organised by the British Road Federation (see box). The agency outlined other plans for improving traffic flow including • Extending the variable speed limits on the M25 to other routes; • Establishing three Regional Traffic Control Centres (RTCCs) which will broadcast information on delays and re-routeing; • Controlled access to motorways; • More useage of automatic signalling on motorways.
0 The Highways Agency has launched a web site which will include information on roadworks. The site can be found at: i.vww.highvvays.gov.uk • At the conference Transport Minister Dr John Reid summarised the Government's new transport strategy. After arriving late, blaming the traffic, he focused on the likely introduction of tolls as a means of reducing road demand and raising funds, The money would then be used to improve the roads and public transport. "People are more amenable to paying if they know where the funds are going and agree with the uses."