Government Plan To Open Motorway Hard Shoulders To Traffic Welcomed

10.27.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Oct 2007

Hard shoulder running on M42

Stafford Borough Councillor, Barry Stamp, has today welcomed the news that the Government are planning to use more hard shoulder running in its attempt to ease motorway congestion.

Liberal & Independent Group Leader Barry Stamp said that using the hard shoulder to relieve congestion on the M6 around Stafford would be a better alternative to the original plan to widen the motorway.

"Earlier this year Liberal Democrat's in Stafford called on the Government to introduce hard shoulder running around Stafford instead of pressing ahead with their plan to widen the motorway."

"It is clear to anyone who uses the M6 in the Stafford area that congestion is not a major problem, and that widening the motorway to four lanes in both directions is overkill. If this plan went ahead a number of communities alongside the motorway would be devastated not only by the work being carried out, but also by the fact the motorway would move nearer to their homes."

"Using the hard shoulder on a limited basis when congestion is bad gets over most of these problems. I also believe it will focus people's minds on developing alternative greener travel plans through the area. More investment must be made in the West Cost main railway line as well as other forms of public transport."

"Unfortunately it is unclear exactly how much of the M6 is to benefit from this plan. With this in mind I will be tabling a motion to the next meeting of the Borough Council asking them to urge the Government to formally drop its plan to widen the M6 around Stafford and instead introduce this hard shoulder running," said Cllr Stamp.