Lorry overtaking restrictions: M42 ban made permanent

The daytime ban on lorries of 7.5 tonnes and over from using the outside lane between 7am and 7pm on a three-mile stretch of the northbound carriageway of the M42, between junctions 10 and 11 near Tamworth, became permanent on Monday (10 August).

The aim is to reduce congestion and cut the risk of accidents caused by slow moving traffic on this uphill, two-lane section of the M42. Results from the 18 month trial indicate that overall average journey times have improved for non hgvs. Hgv journey times remained unchanged in the morning peak and improved at other times.

A similar lorry overtaking ban became permanent in October 2008 on two stretches of the A14 in Northamptonshire.