Highways England is introducing an overtaking ban for larger lorries travelling through a short section of roadworks on the M6 in Cumbria.
Work on a £2.5 million upgrade of the central safety barrier, between junction 41 north of Penrith and junction 42 south of Carlisle, started on 6 January. A lane three closure, narrowed lanes in lanes one and two and a 50mph speed limit are in place along both carriageways for about four and a half miles near Southwaite services.
By the end of the week, larger HGVs and other vehicles over two metres wide will be restricted to lane one until the work is completed in late March.
The narrowed lanes are wider than traditional narrow lanes for roadworks. However, feedback from motorway users and Cumbria Police is that some drivers are feeling uncomfortable about the presence of lorries in lane two, which has prompted the change in traffic management.
The new restriction, which will be enforced by Cumbria Police, will be in place on the northbound carriageway from tomorrow (Wednesday) morning and along the southbound carriageway from Thursday morning, following scheduled overnight carriageway closures.
