M62

The UK’s Highway Agency is set to commence work on major technology improvements project along a section of M62 motorway in the first week of March.

The £20m pinch point scheme, which will involve junction 30 (Rothwell) and junction 32 (Castleford) in West Yorkshire, will improve safety and ease traffic congestion, while contributing to growth of local economy.

The project includes installation of electronic MIDAS loops in the carriageway for east detection of traffic flows.

The loops detect when traffic is slowing down as well as automatically provide warning messages which will be displayed on 13 verge-mounted electronic signs.

In addition to the warning messages, the electronic signs will display advisory speed limits to help adjust vehicle speeds as per the traffic conditions.

"The new technology will relieve congestion and improve safety."

The project will also see deployment of nine CCTV cameras which will enable Highways Agency’s regional control centre in Wakefield to monitor and manage incidents.

The systems have been in use across the region’s motorway network for several years and proved to be successful in reducing the number of incidents caused by stop-start conditions.

The new technology also requires six miles of fibre optic cabling to be installed between the junctions.

Highways Agency assistant project manager Thomas Howard said: "The new technology will relieve congestion and improve safety on this busy section of motorway whilst providing drivers with more information.

"During the work we advise drivers to check local traffic conditions and leave extra time for their journeys if necessary."

Image: The M62 motorway along Scammonden Water in West Yorkshire. Photo: courtesy of Mr M Evison.