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UK driver information improvements near completion

A major investment in technology to help tackle congestion and give better information to drivers across parts of the UK’s north west will be completed by the Highways Agency by the end of the month. Improvements worth more than US$8.5 million, with extended CCTV coverage of the region’s motorways and new electronic variable message signs (VMS), are being delivered by the Highways Agency as part of the Government’ US$470 million pinch point programme. Work on installing new electronic signs and CCTV c
March 27, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
A major investment in technology to help tackle congestion and give better information to drivers across parts of the UK’s north west will be completed by the 503 Highways Agency by the end of the month.

Improvements worth more than US$8.5 million, with extended CCTV coverage of the region’s motorways and new electronic variable message signs (VMS), are being delivered by the Highways Agency as part of the Government’ US$470 million pinch point programme.

Work on installing new electronic signs and CCTV cameras, which will give Highways Agency traffic officers and partner organisations like the police better intelligence on incidents and queues, started at the end of last year and is due to be completed by 31 March.

The schemes, due for completion at the end of the month, are in addition to technology schemes already delivered through the Pinch Point programme on the M6 at junction 33 and junction 35 around Lancaster where new electronic signs have been installed to give drivers better warning of hazards, incidents and congestion. New VMS signs are also currently being installed at both ends of the A590 in Cumbria.

Highways Agency project manager Philip Tyrrell said: “These new electronic signs will give better information to drivers when there is congestion and incidents. The extended CCTV coverage will ensure we have better intelligence and allow our traffic officers and partners to provide an even more effective response to incidents and congestion – boosting safety and journey times.”

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