A new hard shoulder running scheme has been launched on the M6 near Birmingham.
The scheme covers a seven-mile stretch of road between junction 4 – Coleshill, and junction 5 - Castle Bromwich.
In addition to allowing hard shoulder running, road users will be able to drive along the motorway hard shoulder between junction slip roads. Previously drivers were required to exit the hard shoulder upon approaching the exit.
The scheme follows the successful M42 pilot of a similar scheme at junction 5 near Solihull.
During the pilot phase of the M42 project concerns were raised over the safety of hard shoulder running. However, latest figures have revealed that accidents have been reduced from an average of 5.1 a month to 1.8 since the scheme's introduction.
