United Kingdom Statutory Instruments

(a) northbound carriageway of the M42 from marker post 19/0 + 80 to marker post 35/8;

(b) carriageways of the relevant northbound slip roads;

(c) southbound carriageway of the M42 from marker post 35/8 to marker post 19/4 + 60; and

(d) carriageways of the relevant southbound slip roads.

     2. Any reference in this Schedule to—

(a) the letter "M" followed by a number is a reference to the motorway known by that number and any reference to the letter "A" followed by a number is a reference to the road known by that number; and

(b) a junction followed by a number is a reference to the junction of the M42 of that number.

     3. In this Schedule—

"J slip road" means the slip road in the vicinity of junction 7, which connects the northbound carriageway of the M42 with the westbound carriageway of the M6;

"K slip road" means the slip road in the vicinity of junction 3A, which connects the northbound carriageway of the M40 with the northbound carriageway of the M42;

"L slip road" means the slip road in the vicinity of junction 3A, which connects the southbound carriageway of the M42 with the southbound carriageway of the M40;

"M slip road" means the slip road in the vicinity of junction 7, which connects the westbound carriageway of the M6 with the southbound carriageway of the M42;

"on-slip road" means a slip road intended for the use of traffic entering the M42;

"off-slip road" means a slip road intended for the use of traffic exiting the M42;

"relevant northbound slip roads" is a reference to the lengths of road specified in paragraph 4 of this Schedule together with the adjacent hard shoulders, emergency refuge areas and verges;

"relevant southbound slip roads" is a reference to the lengths of road specified in paragraph 5 of this Schedule together with the adjacent hard shoulders, emergency refuge areas and verges; and

"zone sign" means a sign authorised by the Secretary of State for the purpose under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 indicating that vehicles are entering a relevant road.

     4. The relevant northbound slip roads are the:

(a) J slip road commencing at its junction with the northbound carriageway of the M42 and ending at the zone sign;

(b) K slip road commencing at the zone sign and ending at its junction with the northbound carriageway of the M42; and

(c) on-slip roads and off-slip roads which connect the northbound carriageway of the M42 with the—


(i) A34 at Junction 4,

(ii) A41 at Junction 5, and

(iii) A45 at Junction 6.

     5. The relevant southbound slip roads are the:

(a) L slip road commencing at its junction with the southbound carriageway of the M42 and ending at the zone sign;

(b) M slip road commencing at the zone sign and ending at its junction with the southbound carriageway of the M42; and

(c) on-slip roads and off-slip roads which connect the southbound carriageway of the M42 with the—


(i) A3400 at Junction 4,

(ii) A4141 at Junction 5, and

(iii) A45 at Junction 6.

(a) start directly under an overheard gantry on which there is displayed a traffic sign of the type shown in diagram 670 in Schedule 2 to the Traffic Signs Regulations 2002 indicating that a speed limit other than the national speed limit applies to the hard shoulder; and

(b) end immediately before an overhead gantry on which there is displayed a traffic sign of the type shown in diagram 5003.1 or 6031.1 in Schedule 10 to the Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions 2002.

Regulation 3 also introduces into the 1982 Regulations the concept of the `emergency refuge area', which has the same function as a hard shoulder and can be used in the circumstances set out in regulation 7(2) of the 1982 Regulations.

Regulation 4 introduces variable speed limits in relation to the relevant roads. Vehicles may not be driven at a speed above the maximum indicated by a traffic sign until they pass a sign indicating that the restriction ceases to apply or that another speed limit applies or until the vehicle ceases to be on a relevant road. Where a speed limit changes less than 10 seconds before a vehicle passes the sign, this regulation allows a driver to proceed at a speed up to the maximum applicable before the change, and to continue to do so until he passes another speed limit sign.

A copy of the regulatory impact assessment prepared in respect of these Regulations can be obtained from the M42 Active Traffic Management Pilot Team, C6, Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1BL. A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.