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Work on congestion-busting M25 scheme moves forward

Government Communications (NDS)

16 February 2011

Work starts this week to upgrade an 11 mile section of the M25 between Leatherhead and Reigate to Controlled Motorway.Controlled Motorways use variable speed limits to smooth out traffic at busy times and reduce frustrating stop-start congestion and are already in place on the M25 between junctions 10 and 16. Work started in November to install the system on a 2.7 mile section of road south east of junction 10 near Wisley, and this new extension will continue to junction 8 at Reigate, creating a continuous Controlled Motorway between junctions 8 and 16, one of the busiest sections of motorway in Europe. Highways Agency technology manager Andy Kirk said:“Controlled Motorways have real benefits for road users; making best use of the available road space to deliver smoother, safer and less stressful journeys. On the M25, they have helped to reduce injury accidents by 10%, and non-injury accidents by 30%. They also have a positive impact on air quality and road noise.” Controlled Motorways enable the Highways Agency to manage traffic flows during periods of peak congestion or following an incident. The system uses sensors in the road surface to detect the speed, volume and flow of traffic. It then calculates the optimum speed to keep traffic moving, reducing the level of stop-start traffic that leads to congestion. Drivers see the current speed limit displayed on electronic signals on the overhead gantries. Construction on the first phase of Controlled Motorway, between junction 10 at Wisley and Bookham Brook will continue side by side with the new work, and the whole section between junctions 8 and 10 is expected to be complete in the spring. The system will go live later in the year.Narrow lanes on the M25 between junctions 9 and 10 remain in place, with a temporary speed limit of 50mph. The second phase of work will not require any additional carriageway closures to those planned under the first phase and will be completed using overnight lane restrictions.