Extra Lane Plans

This morning transport secretary, Ruth Kelly, announced that motorists will be able to drive on the hard shoulder during busy periods.

The scheme has been trialled on the M42 and there has apparently been a reduction in journey times, accidents and pollution levels.

I can see how there are benefits, but what do you do if you have a flat tyre? Or there is an accident and you have to pull over? The hard shoulder is dangerous enough when you're waiting with a broken down car, without people driving at you at high speed.

The Highways Agency has said that the hard shoulder will be closed if a car is pulled over but surely that takes time and extra man power and will cause more delays as people have to avoid cones and change lanes.

I can't help but think that the time and money they are spending on these sort of schemes and motorway widening should be pumped into improving public transport so we all use our cars less - aren't we supposed to be trying to prevent climate change after all?

Helen