Safe Speed Forums

What's bizarre about it?

And how on earth is it going to take until 2017 to widen a bit of M6?

Maybe they have squeezed as much out of the motorist as they can...

15% more cost to build a six lane new motorway than to add 2 lanes to an existing motorway?

And how on earth is it going to take until 2017 to widen a bit of M6?

I agree, a new motorway would have cost 15% more for 100% extra capacity therefore it should be a no-brainer.

Something suspicious.

I agree, a new motorway would have cost 15% more for 100% extra capacity therefore it should be a no-brainer.

The Government have been as stupid as Railtrack regarding the West Coast Main Line route from London to Glasgow. Modernising and (in parts) widening the existing line is costing £8 billion and a new line for most of the way would have cost around £5 billion.

.

Anger over extra lanes on M6 plan
Friday, 21st July 2006
Robert Bottomley

PLANS to scrap an extension of the M6 toll road from Birmingham to Manchester in favour of widening the M6 have been condemned by both industry and green campaigners.

Business leaders and the haulage industry say the wider road will not reduce traffic gridlock and environmentalists say it will have a devastating impact on the Cheshire countryside.

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander revealed that a £3.5bn plan for a new toll "expressway" running parallel with the M6 would not give taxpayers value for money.

One lane

Instead, the existing motorway will be widened by one lane in each direction. And when the new lanes finally open - in 2017 at the earliest - drivers could still find they are charged, or face some restrictions on using them.

The Highways Agency is drawing up detailed "demand management" proposals with "nothing ruled out or ruled in".

Charging is one option while others include high occupancy lanes where only vehicles with passengers are allowed. Other restrictions may include putting traffic lights on slip roads to control access to the motorway when it is busy.

Most hated

The M6 carries 140,000 vehicles a day and was last year named as the road British drivers most hate to use.

Sarah Johnson, from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said traffic will immediately increase to fill the new lanes.

She said: "We are pleased that something is being done. However, the option they have gone for is not the option our members preferred. They preferred either the expressway, or building a new carriageway alongside the existing road to give six more lanes.

"The new lanes will open in 2017 at the earliest and the road will be gridlocked by then anyway.

"We are not sure how much difference one lane will make, we will be back in the same situation. Also, we are frightened by mention of some sort of pricing system for these lanes."

The Freight Transport Association, which represents hauliers, said it was "very disappointed" the expressway has been scrapped and questioned whether one extra lane would ease the gridlock.

Pollution

The green lobby said widening the M6 would devastate the environment and bring more traffic and pollution.

Frank Kennedy, of Friends of the Earth, said: "More lanes mean more traffic. The government needs to do far more to promote alternatives, to improve public transport and reduce people's need to travel."

The Council for the Protection of Rural England also called for the money to be used to improve public transport instead.

how come in areas that are prone to earthquakes entire roads can be replaced in a matter of months yet in the UK it takes years?

sensible question, but when the greens whinge about polution has anyone independant done a study as to weather a free running motorway or a congested motorway produces more pollution?