M42 traffic calming plans could be redundant

Feb 11 2008

TRAFFIC calming measures on the M42 which cost £40 million could be redundant if plans for a new motorway service station in Solihull get the go-ahead, safety experts and campaigners claimed.

Concerns that congestion will return to a once-gridlocked stretch of motorway were raised on the eve of a public inquiry into plans for the station.

A Government inspector will consider two separate proposals for services along the M42 – one between Junctions 5 (Solihull) and 6 (NEC), close to the village of Catherine-de-Barnes, and a second at Junction 4 (Shirley).

Campaigners have heavily criticised plans to build on the green belt a complex which is two-and-a-half times the size of Catherine-de-Barnes.

They also claim building another junction in an already overcrowded part of the motorway network could put lives at risk.

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at Birmingham-based Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said the plans could jeopardise the massive improvements made in terms of combating congestion on the M42.

A series of speed cameras and electronic road signs erected on gantries between junctions 3a (M40) and 7 (M6) on the M42 has helped ease traffic congestion on a stretch of road that once had a reputation for gridlock.

But Mr Clinton said: "Building a new service station on the motorway could create problems that the ATM had sorted out."