M6 junction 21a to 26 Upgrade – Variable Mandatory Speed Limit Statutory Instrument consultation

Closed 23 Dec 2020

Opened 25 Nov 2020

Results updated 18 Mar 2021

The document below is intended to provide a summary of the responses received to the consultation on the introduction of variable mandatory speed limits (VMSL) on the M6 junctions 21a to 26 scheme.

The consultation, which we carried out between 25 November and 23 December 2020, provided an opportunity for stakeholders, such as road user groups and other interested parties, to comment on the proposals. We have considered the comments raised by consultees and this document summarises our response to those comments.

Files:

Overview

Our consultation on the introduction of Variable Mandatory Speed Limits as part of this project has now closed.

The M6 motorway is a strategic route for local, regional and international traffic. The road plays a major role in connecting the north-west and the west midlands, and to London via the M1. The M6 also connects multiple urban areas in the region, and provides access to important international gateways.

This section of the M6 carries in excess of 110,000 vehicles per day.

The scheme is part of our programme to add capacity to the existing strategic road network in order to support economic growth and maintain mobility.

We expect that the scheme will:

  • increase motorway capacity and reduce congestion
  • smooth traffic flows
  • provide more reliable journey times
  • increase and improve the quality of information for the driver (in relation to the operation of the motorway)

The use of variable mandatory speed limits is essential to achieving the objectives above. Through the introduction of technology, we aim to make best use of the existing road space.

Comments on the introduction of variable mandatory speed limits

We would like to encourage any organisations, businesses or individuals affected by these proposals to contact us and give us their views. If you're responding on behalf of an organisation, it would be helpful if you could note this in your reply.

Please also indicate:

  • the nature of the organisation
  • how many individuals’ views are included in the response
  • the ways in which these views were gathered

Sending your consultation response

You can respond to the consultation by completing our online survey below.

Alternatively, you can complete the consultation response form located in Appendix B of the Consultation Document and return it to us by email or by post to the following address. Please include ‘M6 J21a-26 smart motorway statutory instrument consultation’ in the title of the email, and mark it for the attention of Agnes Usciak.

Please ensure that your response reaches us by 23 December 2020.

Email: M6J21a-26SmartMotorway@highwaysengland.co.uk  

Post:

Agnes Usciak

Project Manager

Highways England

2 Colmore Square

Birmingham

B4 6BN

 

 

 

What happens next

We’ll be providing an update on the project in the new year, as well as publishing a summary report of the responses we received to the consultation. You can subscribe for alerts for when we update our M6 junction 21a to 26 smart motorway web page.

Audiences

  • All members of the public

Interests

  • Roads