M62 - Your Local History
A lot of finds were uncovered during the archaeological evaluation carried out for the M62 Junction 6 Improvement scheme so we thought it would be nice to provide an interactive website so you can see what we found.
Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions
Don't Cross or Walk Along Motorways
The Highways Agency aims to make more people aware of the dangers of walking or crossing our motorway. We have launched a poster and radio campaign aimed at 16-25yr olds. Hopefully with our hard hitting posters, our message will come across.
Educating tomorrow's drivers
See how we are driving through key messages about safety on our network for the drivers of tomorrow.
Meet the Ancestors
Find out about the history of roads and the work the Agency does to preserve archaeological remains.
See when traffic will be lightest
Our traffic forecaster can help get you there quicker
M606 - M62 Car Sharing Lane
On the 20 March 2006, the Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced the first ever UK motorway car share lane.
Drivers using the M606 and M62 between Bradford and Leeds, in West Yorkshire, will benefit from the £2.5 million initiative, which was introduced in Spring 2008.
The one-mile lane aims to cut the average peak-time journey by eight minutes.
The M62 announcement was the second confirmed location for a car-sharing lane, following on from the scheme for Junctions 7 to 10 of the M1. Work on widening the motorway for the M1 scheme has already started and will be operational in 2008.
Tackling Congestion on England's Motorways
Traffic congestion is an increasing problem during the morning and evening rush hour. Studies show that on the M606 and M62 at Junction 26, 84% of vehicles do not carry passengers.
The Highways Agency has recognised that by encouraging drivers to car share, we can make more efficient use of road space.
Operation of the Car Share Lane
The car share lane will be between the southbound M606 and eastbound entry slip road at M62 Junction 26. This will allow vehicles carrying more than one person to bypass congestion at Junction 26 and gain priority entry onto the M62 eastbound.
An observation platform located on the M606 close to the start of the car share lane will be used by police to monitor occupancy levels in vehicles entering the car share lane. Enforcement action may be taken against drivers who fail to comply with the passenger requirements of the lane.
Vehicles that can use the Car Share Lane
- Cars with 2 or more people in them (including when towing a trailer or caravan)
- Coaches and Buses
- Minibuses and Taxis (when carrying passengers)
- Motorcycles can also use the lane
HGVs will not be allowed to use the Car Share Lane
Benefits of Car Share Lanes
Car share lanes are expected to deliver benefits, these include:
- Drivers in car share vehicles will be able to bypass congestion.
- Car share vehicles will be able to gain priority access.
- Car share vehicles would save on average 8 minutes during peak periods on this section of road - which for regular commuters equates to 30-40 minutes per week.
- By sharing a car, you could save up to half your fuel costs of travelling to work and reduce wear and tear on your car.
- Non car share vehicles would not suffer from additional delays and should also save time.
- Environmental benefits as drivers share their car with others.
Getting started
West Yorkshire Carshare is a car sharing scheme putting you in contact with other people travelling in and around West Yorkshire, allowing you to arrange to travel together and share the costs, whilst also reducing congestion and pollution on our roads.
How do I join?
Registration is free, secure and easy to do! All you need to do is log on at www.wycarshare.com. Appropriate matches will then be sent to you through a secure e-mail, you then choose who you would like to contact.
For more information on the M606/M62 Car Share Lane and details of how to get started car sharing please download our leaflet below.
To find out more about car sharing vist www.carplus.org.uk.
Implementation Plan
Car share lanes are already in use in Europe and America. At present, in England, there are only three short stretches on local authority roads. The M606 - M62 scheme is the first motorway scheme in England.
This is the second location which has been announced for car sharing. The first location is on the M1 between junction 7 and 10 as part of the widening scheme which will come into operation in 2008.
Looking to the future, the Highways Agency intends to identify a programme of car share lanes nationally, along with other measures, to manage the increasing future demand for roadspace.
The Highways Agency is discussing how its car share schemes may be able to complement local authorities' schemes.
Related Links
Press Release: Car sharing lanes for the M606/M606
Printer friendly leaflet: M606/62 car sharing lanes (784KB PDF)
