The Highways Agency is to introduce a permanent ban on HGVs overtaking on the M11 within the next 12 months.
The decision was made after a successful trial ban on uphill sections between junctions eight and nine reduced congestion and improved journey times.
Asset Development Manager Andy Jobling said, “Subject to completion of statutory procedures, the agency is looking to implement the HGV overtaking ban on the M11 during the next financial year.”
Nigel Base, SMMT Commercial Vehicle Development Manager, said, “Any new legislation needs to be balanced to ensure that journey times for operators are truly unaffected. This could be the thin end of a wedge that leads to hampering of deliveries and logistics, which are the lifeblood of our economy. Drivers also need to be assured that the rule is fairly and sensibly applied in all situations.”
Drivers will know that often overtaking is necessary in order to proceed safely, for example when a vehicle joins the carriageway at a lower speed, or traffic is queued up to exit the motorway.
Vehicles carrying extremely heavy loads can’t always maintain the speed of other road users, and many are already fitted with speed limiters, which remove the possibility of overtaking.
The announcement came as the Highways Agency rejected renewed calls from Essex County Council for a similar ban on the A12.
Jobling said, “Due to the frequency of junctions, we believe this would not provide an effective method of reducing congestion.”
