New roadworks style reduces disruption

Highways England has said that a new method of conducting roadworks reduces disruption for residents and drivers.

Highways England has conducted two new roadworks projects using a method they say reduces disruption for drivers and local residents. Contraflows allow workers to complete work in shifts and finishing projects faster.

Contraflows take up a larger area at the side of the motorway meaning more work can be done in a single shift. The method has been used in recent works on the M6 between Stafford and Stoke and is being introduced on the M62 roadworks near Warrington.

Highways England Smart Motorway Programme Regional Sponsor, Mike Bull said: “We appreciate people’s patience as we carry out these important motorway upgrades.”

“This is all part of our work to ultimately improve journeys in this area by adding extra capacity and technology to the motorway.”

The average major motorway roadworks projects may involve up to 200 closures to complete work, with contraflow methods that can be reduced down to 60. Work can be carried out during the day with cars able to pass by while work is taking place at the verges.

Temporary barriers are used to control the flow of traffic on either side of the contraflow with the M6 roadworks switching traffic to the opposite carriageway. The increased number of motorway roadworks is part of four new governments smart motorway schemes, set to increase the M6 capacity by a third.

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