Proposals to use the motorway hard shoulder to ease congestion.

A Transport Department source said the selected hard shoulders could be opened up within two years. Roads which are expected to have stretches included are the M1, M4, M6, M20 and M25. The scheme will be most common near motorway exit junctions in a hope it will relieve traffic queues. The scheme will display on signals above the hard shoulder a red cross when it should not be used, or a maximum speed limit when it can be used.

The scheme is a cheaper option than lane widening but has upset road safety groups. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said drivers who break down will have nowhere to safely stop. This could lead to more road accidents or drivers leaving their vehicle being injured. There are also worries it may hinder emergency services arriving quickly at accidents. Jools Townsend of Brake the safety campaign group said ministers are "gambling with peoples lives".

The Highways Agency said they are able to change the overhead signs in seconds if there is an accident and redirect the traffic. It could also be proposed that extra lay-bys be built at regular intervals as "emergency refuge areas" off the hard shoulder.

In the M42 pilot scheme the hard shoulder was opened up between Warwickshire and Birmingham for around eleven miles with 50mph speed restrictions imposed using signs on gantries. It was controlled by sensors placed at 100 metre intervals to measure traffic volumes. When volumes built up the signs change to indicate its okay to use the hard shoulder.