My thoughts exactly. So I thought I'd email m40j15_bypass@highways.gov.uk to ask why this was, highlighting a potentially dangerous aspect to the current layout.Jeni wrote:They have got the lanes all messed up on the M40 off slip. Who in their right mind will drive up to the traffic lights and wait to go to Coventry, when there is a freeflow just to their left!
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This is my email and their response:
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Team
I use Longbridge island on a regular basis and the improvements to traffic conditions on the roundabout since the work has been completed have been a revelation.
However I have a concern with the signposted lane markings at the top of the M40 southbound off slip road.
To have three lanes for A46 Coventry, two of which are via traffic signals, is surely a mistake given all traffic to Cov uses the new left turn slip lane.
Travelling from Birmingham to Warwick I have at various times used both the signed lane for the A429 Warwick (the centre lane) as well as the left hand lane of the three at the signals (as it 'feels like' the correct lane, whatever the markings may say, given the lack of Coventry traffic approaching the lights). In both situations there inevitably seems to be another driver alongside with the opposite idea, and we end up dangerously merging into the one lane for Warwick on the roundabout itself. In addition I've noticed an increasing tendency for drivers heading around the roundabout (ie. toward Cirencester) to use the centre lane at the top of the motorway slip road given the volume of traffic using the right hand lane only for both Cirencester and Stratford.
It would certainly surprise me to hear that the current arrangement isn't a mistake, but if not and it is actually meant to be like this I would be pleased to have the reasoning behind it explained.
Regards
SP
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Dear S
The contractors have advised me that the 3 lanes have been designed to A46 Coventry off the M40 because traffic figures (maybe not now but in the future) dictate that they are needed. This fact has been checked.
We have studied how traffic is using the junction and as you say drivers are not using the correct lanes.
We are of the opinion that the main cause is that regular users were still using the inside lane despite its destination changing and in time this will cease.
We have added some extra Warwick Only and left turn arrows to the road markings.
We have also added additional road markings further up the road to aid lane discipline.
Regards
MK
Project Support
Highways Agency
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I not entirely certain what the reference to drivers 'still using the inside lane' is referring to. If it is about drivers for Warwick using the left hand lane at the lights then the destination hasn't changed in this respect as prior to constuction of the Cov free flow slip the lane markings at the lights were the same as now (ie. both left and middle lanes to Cov with the centre lane shared with Warwick traffic).
Are there any other instances in the UK where in addition to a free flow slip road a destination is additionally lane marked via a set of traffic signals?