There is a section of the road between juntion 10 and 11 (I think) where vehicles over 10.5 tonnes are barred from using the outside lane, between 7am and 7pm. I was travelling on that stretch of road yesterday, at around 2pm, and there was a long line of cars being held up by a large articulated truck, which was in the outside lane. The said truck must have been over 10.5 tonnes (six axles). What I would like to know is, how is this trial being monitored and what happens to any lorry driver spotted in the outside lane, when they shouldn't be there? In addition, what is the value of applying this to a stretch of road that is just three miles long? If a truck driver is overtaking before they get to this stretch of road, I can't see them pulling in to get out of the way.
To end my story, the said truck was quickly replaced by two car transporters, after he had got past the line of lorries he was overtaking (which he didn't do within the time trial stretch), and I didn't manage to get past the line of lorries for several miles as a result.
Does anyone know if these trials are being done around the country?
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This is the only stretch of road being used like this in the UK. Depending on how it fares, it maybe extended elsewhere. According to a truck magazine, there is on the spot fines being given to truck drivers being caught overtaking on this stretch of road. The traffic police are said to be monitoring this road often throughout the time ban. Not on this occasion it seems.
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Another example of why there is no point in signs and regulations if there is no enforcement. Leeds 2+ lane is now the same - no monitoring so rules are regularly flouted.
Your experience on this stretch of the A42/M42 is the reason why I have aboandoned this route when I go from Leeds to Cardiff. I have reverted to using the A38 from jcn 28 of the M1 down to the M6 toll - a few more roundabouts and one strecth of 40mph around Derby, but the relative lack of wagons makes this route a dream.
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The current contraflows on the M5 in north Somerset/Bristol are to facilitate the construction of crawler lanes in two locations which, I understand, when introduced will restrict HGV's and any vehicle towing to the two inside lanes. Should help avoid the M5 being a caravan park in the summer.
There is a pointless +2 lane on the A370 into Bristol, there is no enforcement though there does not need to be because the occasions that there are delays on the two lane stretch on which the +2 applies are so few and far between. A waste of money!
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"M42/A42 time trial"
Oh - I thought you mean a challenge for motorcyclists to tackle it in the rush hour without putting their feet down! ;-)
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