M1 scheme road traffic accident risk?

Any one who has been involved in a road traffic accident or knows someone who has been in a crash will be all too aware of the impact that this can have on the victims and their families and loved ones.

Rather worryingly, a police chief has warned that he believes plans to use the hard shoulder of the M1 as a traffic lane could cause accidents and may even cost lives. Proposals have been put forward to create a fourth lane on the M1 motorway from the hard shoulder.

The policeman, Chief Inspector Stuart Walne is reported to be concerned about the operational difficulties of the scheme and warned that there are no answers to the operation difficulties that could arise at the moment.

The Highways Agency is of the opinion the similar schemes have improved reliability, eased congestion anddo in fact actually lead to important safety benefits.

I hope that the concerns of Chief Inspector Walne are addressed and that the scheme if it is to be implemented brings the benefits highlighted by the Highways Agency without posing risk to those using the road.