simondjuk Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Going on what ive heard this morning that a certain section of Motorway around Birmingham, using the Hard Shoulder during rush hour, I dont think they should for a number of reasons. 1) Isnt the hard shoulder for emergency use only. 2) If you break down during rush hour, where are you supposed to move your car to, this will cause even longer queues cos traffic will have to swap lanes 3) Emergency Services will take longer to get to an accident, cos they wont be able to use the [normally empty] hard shoulder. 4) It will take longer to clear an accident cos the recovery vehicles have to get through. 5) If an accident happens, dont the police move it to the hard shoulder as quick as possible to open the road again. I know this is only a trial, but we all know that if it works its likely to roll out across the country Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sccsux Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Any thoughts? No. Other than to say I agree with the points you've raised? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Orange Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I think this is a very good idea as long as they have a contingency plan for the motorists who find themselves breaking down which I believe they have done on the motorway near Birmingham. Plus it's cheaper to use the hard shoulder as relieve lane for busier times than to build a new permanent lane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pumatic Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I know this is only a trial, but we all know that if it works its likely to roll out across the country Any thoughts? I think it is likely to roll out across the country despite the fact that it is likely to be an unmitigated disaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upinwath Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 simondjuk - I agree will all your points. It's a bloody silly idea. Many drivers can't handle things as they are but give the loonies a chance to drive on the shoulder with poss broken down cars in the way and I'll say there is a 100% chance of a nasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Orange Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 1) Isnt the hard shoulder for emergency use only. 2) If you break down during rush hour, where are you supposed to move your car to, this will cause even longer queues cos traffic will have to swap lanes 3) Emergency Services will take longer to get to an accident, cos they wont be able to use the [normally empty] hard shoulder. 4) It will take longer to clear an accident cos the recovery vehicles have to get through. 5) If an accident happens, dont the police move it to the hard shoulder as quick as possible to open the road again. 1) Yes it is, but they are changing the usage of it for busier periods. 2) They have built long bays off the hard shoulder where vehicles can go should they break down. Therefore they won't be blocking any traffic if they can get to these bays. 3) Emergency vehicles only use the hard shoulder when the motorway is blocked by heavy traffic. If the traffic is flowing then emergency vehicles use the normal carriageway. In theory, opening up the hard shoulder shouldn't hinder the journey of an emergency vehicle as there should still be sufficient space for vehicles to give way to the blues and twos. 4) Aren't vehicles normally pushed to the side of the carriageway and recovered at a later time? I always thought that this was the case as the police's priority was to get the carriageway open asap. 5) As mentioned previously, the wreckage will be moved to the specific bays that have been built on the side of the motorway so in theory it shouldn't take any longer than normal to clear the site of a crash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 It's a stupid idea and it will be scrapped the first time there is a major accident and the emergency vehicles are unable to get to the scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbleRatcht Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 It's a stupid idea. Use something that was included in the initial plan as a safety feature to relieve a problem, caused by years of under investment, that was forseen long ago. Sounds like Britain to me Where is Planner1 BTW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upinwath Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 1) Yes it is, but they are changing the usage of it for busier periods. 2) They have built long bays off the hard shoulder where vehicles can go should they break down. Therefore they won't be blocking any traffic if they can get to these bays. 3) Emergency vehicles only use the hard shoulder when the motorway is blocked by heavy traffic. If the traffic is flowing then emergency vehicles use the normal carriageway. In theory, opening up the hard shoulder shouldn't hinder the journey of an emergency vehicle as there should still be sufficient space for vehicles to give way to the blues and twos. 4) Aren't vehicles normally pushed to the side of the carriageway and recovered at a later time? I always thought that this was the case as the police's priority was to get the carriageway open asap. 5) As mentioned previously, the wreckage will be moved to the specific bays that have been built on the side of the motorway so in theory it shouldn't take any longer than normal to clear the site of a crash. Do you drive on motorways or just believe this rubbish ? 1) - it's still a daft idea 2) - lets have breakdowns made illegal if it's not near a bay:loopy: 3) - If the traffic flows after a bad smash it's slow so leaving the services no option but to go the wrong way down the motorway to get to the scene. 4) - True but they would need to get it further away from the shoulder to be safe and that's not always easy. 5) - need bays close to accident scenes. How long will these works take and how many problems will they cause while being built ? Perhaps it would be better to make all drivers take a motorway test so they understand how and why accidents and jams happen. Couple this with the police hammering those that drive badly instead of having half cops on motorway patrol and we may just get some better driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simondjuk Posted September 12, 2006 Author Share Posted September 12, 2006 Its been mentioned on Radio Sheffield this morning too. A bloke from South Yorkshire Police was talking and he said that the emergency services would not be delayed, because they could access the motorway via other junctions. All well and good but below is an example which would not work. Example: serious accident just after the M18/M1 slip road southbound. if the police etc have got to come southbound, they will have a huge distance to travel to get to the accident, even if they come on a J33, this meaning they have to go up to J1 of the M18 to come back down again. I know they can get there fairly quick but the distance is a fair way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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