Building on the successful trial of Active Traffic Management (ATM) on the M42, the agency will extend hard-shoulder running on motorways around Birmingham, as well as introducing measures such as CCTV, queue detection systems and variable message signs on other parts of the network.

In 2008-09 it will complete 15 major road schemes - including the M1 J6a to J10 widening scheme - and develop a further two schemes into the construction phase. It also plans to award the 30-year private finance contract (in excess of £5bn) to design, build, finance and operate more than 63 miles of the M25.
 
Archie Robertson, Highways Agency chief executive, said:
"This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the first stretch of completed motorway. The people who built our roads then would be astonished to see the volume of freight and passenger journeys that they carry now.

"As we look forward to 2011 it is clear our aims are to provide the information and infrastructure necessary to help these drivers use our roads in a safe and reliable way, whilst also taking the steps necessary to tackle the impact this may have on the environment."

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