M1 car-sharing lane planned

Friday, 10 December 2004 12:00 AM

The Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has revealed plans to introduce a car-sharing lane to help cut congestion on the M1.

From next year the motorway will have a lane especially reserved for vehicles carrying two or more people - a move that is hoped to encourage drivers to share cars.

During rush hour this High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane will be off-limits for solo drivers. But, enforcement will be the responsibility of the police not cameras.

The lane will be on the stretch between St Albans and Luton (junctions 7 to 10) and there is a possibility this could be further extended to junction 13 at Milton Keynes.

Mr Darling said: "The Government is determined to tackle congestion. Carpool lanes encourage drivers to share their vehicle by providing dedicated lanes for vehicles with passengers."

Speaking about how similar schemes have worked elsewhere in the world he added: "These lanes have been used to great effect both in America and Australia and could play a key role in reducing congestion on Britain's motorways."

Car sharing lanes are also already in use in Leeds and South Gloucestershire.

The Highways Agency will now investigate the possibility of introducing further such lanes on the M61 and M62 - near Bolton and Leeds.

M1 car share lane is forward thinking, says Transport 2000

The announcement was welcomed by the campaign group Transport 2000. Its spokesman, Steve Hounsham, said: "This is forward thinking that could make a real difference on our busiest motorways. By providing a dedicated lane for car sharers, this move rewards those who do their bit to reduce the problems brought by growing traffic and everyone prefers a carrot to a stick. However, we would not want to see the promise of car share lanes used as an excuse to widen motorways further."

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