M6 J16 - J19 Smart Motorway

[Jeni]

I've resorted to the train and bus because of the M6 work.

It was one of my few long distance travels where I'd continued to use the car over public transport because it's a bit of a pain on the bus at the other end. Now that pain is tolerable compared to the M6!

[fras]

I've resorted to the train and bus because of the M6 work.

It was one of my few long distance travels where I'd continued to use the car over public transport because it's a bit of a pain on the bus at the other end. Now that pain is tolerable compared to the M6!

I suspect it will still be tolerable even when the M6 re-opens with ALR !! Remember that the slightest upset, like a vehicle breaking down in Lane 1 will involve closure of Lanes 1 & 2 for safety reasons. I suspect this was not foreseen when ALR was first mooted. The traffic between Jn 15 (A500 South) to Jn 21a (M62) is such that incidents are very frequent.

[Robert Kilcoyne]

I've resorted to the train and bus because of the M6 work.

It was one of my few long distance travels where I'd continued to use the car over public transport because it's a bit of a pain on the bus at the other end. Now that pain is tolerable compared to the M6!

I suspect it will still be tolerable even when the M6 re-opens with ALR !! Remember that the slightest upset, like a vehicle breaking down in Lane 1 will involve closure of Lanes 1 & 2 for safety reasons. I suspect this was not foreseen when ALR was first mooted. The traffic between Jn 15 (A500 South) to Jn 21a (M62) is such that incidents are very frequent.

In many ways, it makes the tinkering with the A51 between Nantwich and Tarporley more regrettable as the A500/A51 and A500/A49 should have been viewed as important backup routes from the Midlands etc. to Chester/Liverpool (together with the A500/A34 and A50 for Manchester) if there were to be a major problem on the M6 in Cheshire, which is unfortunately all too frequent.

[Big L]

All of the electronic signs were displaying a 60 limit in the 60 restricted section between 19 and 18 this evening. Testing?

[xfield]

I saw one row lit up yesterday southbound after junction 19 - all indicating NSL! So for about 200 metres you could legally drive at 70 before the next 60 sign kicked back in.

https://imgur.com/a/JxE8ZfW

[Big L]

Once they had finally opened it this morning, after I sat stationary for about 40 minutes south of 16, we had 4 lanes northbound from 18 to 19 with 60 illuminated on all the signs. Didn't see any of the permanent speed cameras installed yet, and the refuges still aren't orange. Looked like 3 lanes southbound still.

[Bendo]

I saw one row lit up yesterday southbound after junction 19 - all indicating NSL! So for about 200 metres you could legally drive at 70 before the next 60 sign kicked back in.

https://imgur.com/a/JxE8ZfW

Be interesting to know if the SPECs enforcement was turned off or if there will be people with a ticket on the way.

[jusme]

Once they had finally opened it this morning, after I sat stationary for about 40 minutes south of 16, we had 4 lanes northbound from 18 to 19 with 60 illuminated on all the signs. Didn't see any of the permanent speed cameras installed yet, and the refuges still aren't orange. Looked like 3 lanes southbound still.

Southbound opening to 4 lanes tomorrow, hopefully...

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... n-15698265

[jusme]

Southbound opening to 4 lanes tomorrow, hopefully...

Confirmed.

They've also started hanging "Camera not in use" signs on the SPECS 18-19, so hopefully isn't far off.

Still no sign of the new speed cameras though

[Norfolktolancashire]

As hinted in my earlier post I did drive down to Bristol using the A49 route and across to the Old Severn Bridge last Thursday. It was a change from the usual M6/M5 and didn't take any longer either, due to queues on that route.
Coming back yesterday afternoon I took the chance with rush hour in the West Midlands and came back using the M5/M6. The only congestion was before the Oldbury Viaduct roadworks, to be expected at that time of day.
Three things of note;
the removal of the "ghost" lane reductions prior to the M42 junction on the M5 was welcome;
the lanes on the Smart Motorway works on the M6 between Stafford and Stoke seem narrower than usual;
and the luxury of wide four lanes on the new section with only 60mph limits!

[brummie_rob]

The narrow lanes 13-15 don't seem any narrower to me than normal sections. A contraflow is being installed in the next few weeks so that may make it feel less claustrophobic.

[Bryn666]

After years of narrow lanes it was like being in another world to experience 4 lanes.

Here's a thought though... The M6 MS4s are on a tubular support as you'd expect. Go over to the M1 J23a-25 and they're on like an entire oil rig is holding them up.

[jusme]

Yay, 19-18 this morning. Roll on the rest...

[Moore_O]

I had to drive from Manchester to Kent yesterday afternoon, and I'd like to guess how much of my journey was made at 50mph in Smartification Roadworks. I used the M6 and M1... I reckon 25%. And it will all be finished in 2 years time!

I pity anyone who has to do this regularly. And then I remembered that the M20 is similarly blighted almost along perhaps 25% of its length.

And, to prove the benefits of Smart Motorways, a lorry had broken down without making it to a refuge near Potters Bar, so everybody in all four lanes had to stop five miles away and then crawl past in three lanes. Well, everybody except the Audi, BMW and Nissan Qashquai drivers who are exempt from the 'lane closed ahead' graphics, obviously.

[Big L]

...And it will all be finished in 2 years time!...

M6 J13-16 won't be finished until 2022. Most of the rest of the M6 that is currently under way will be done by March next year.

[Moore_O]

...And it will all be finished in 2 years time!...

M6 J13-16 won't be finished until 2022. Most of the rest of the M6 that is currently under way will be done by March next year.

Let joy be unconfined!

[mikehindsonevans]

...And it will all be finished in 2 years time!...

M6 J13-16 won't be finished until 2022. Most of the rest of the M6 that is currently under way will be done by March next year.

Let joy be unconfined!

Heading up there again on Thursday and hoping for a swift arrival at J19 N/B.

[fras]

Yay, 19-18 this morning. Roll on the rest...

Yes, indeed. Noticed this yesterday on an outing to Morecombe to see the Midland Hotel and where we had lunch. I did notice quite a lot of people reluctant to get up to 70 mph. The NSL signs are very low down and easy to miss.

[mikehindsonevans]

We hoped to see this fine new four-lane stretch today. However, problems approaching the burgeoning works at J13, plus satnav indications of trouble from J14 and MSx messages about congestion from J16 to J17 led Her Ladyship to leave at J13.

A nice map-led journey through Stoke, Stafford, A500 and A34 got us to the Airport Marriott quicker than the satnav forecast using the great British motorway.

Going home via Swansea at the weekend, so we'll miss the M6 southbound in its entirety.

Back next month for another attempt.
Mike

[Jeni]

19 - 18 was an absolute delight to drive this evening at rush hour!

The rest doesn't seem too far off completion now - I'd say 18-17 is ready, though they'll probably just wait to open the whole lot now.