M56 upgrade moves to 70 mph

National Highways lifted the 60mph maximum speed limit in place since the end of March when an extra lane in each carriageway was opened to drivers. Operation at the maximum national speed limit of 70mph was introduced today following work to calibrate technology, including stopped vehicle detection.

A separate project involving overnight work to resurface lanes along both carriageways started at the end of May and will continue until the end of July.

The M56 junction 6 to junction 8 upgrade began in March 2020 and alongside adding an extra lane in both the eastbound and westbound carriageways has involved providing extra technology and safety enhancements, including stopped vehicle detection and the ability to use variable speed limits to smooth traffic. Stopped vehicle detection uses radar technology to alert National Highways’ control centre operators who can then close lanes with a Red X signal, display speed limits and deploy traffic officers.  

Drivers are also able to use any of the four new orange coloured emergency areas if they need to stop in an emergency. Emergency areas are clearly marked by blue signs featuring an orange emergency area shape and SOS telephone symbol.

Emergency areas must only be used in an emergency. They provide a safer place to stop than a hard shoulder; they are set back from the carriageway and are also wider than a hard shoulder. They are designed to a standard 100 metres in length, with a 30 metre central stopping area. Drivers must use the emergency telephone provided and follow the operator’s advice for exiting the emergency area.

The operators have a better view of the approaching traffic via CCTV, and they can help drivers to safely re-join the carriageway; this may involve temporarily closing lane one via a Red X sign, displaying a warning message or sending a traffic officer patrol to help.

National Highways launched a new ‘Driving on motorways’ hub last year – providing information about the main features of smart motorways, and advice and guidance on safer driving and what to do in an emergency:   

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/driving-on-motorways/

In April 2023 the Government announced that all plans for new smart motorways had been cancelled - with the exception of the M56 junction 6 to junction 8 and M6 junction 21a to junction 26 projects because they were well underway. The Government previously pledged £900 million of investment to further improve the safety of smart motorways already in operation, including constructing an additional 150 emergency areas by 2025.

Further details on the M56 upgrade are available at:  

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/m56-junction-6-to-8-smart-motorway/

Pictured - The newly-upgraded M56 pictured earlier this month showing the extra lane in each carriageway, refuge areas and enhanced technology - pictured above (from Castle Mill Lane bridge) looking west towards junction 7 at Bowdon and pictured below (from Sunbank Lane bridge) looking east towards junction 6 at Hale Barns.