First digital images on motorway

Digital pictures are to be used on overhead signs on the M42 motorway to warn drivers of potential hazards.

It is the first time "pictograms" have been used and they will appear on an 11-mile stretch between junctions 3a in Warwickshire and 7 east of Birmingham.

The Highways Agency is introducing the five images this week in the same area where drivers can use the hard shoulder at peak-congestion times.

They will warn of snow, accidents, high winds, queues and skidding on 36 signs.

The Highway Agency said they will be introduced as internationally recognisable picture messages which will make it easier for foreign drivers to understand the warnings.

'Journey times fall'

"This is the first time we have used these latest generation signs with pictograms to get helpful and up-to-date information out to drivers and I am pleased that those in the West Midlands are the first to benefit," said Derek Turner, Highways Agency traffic operations director.

The traffic management scheme, which has been running for six months, has been a "clear success", they agency said.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly announced the roll out of the "extra lane" scheme on to the M6 near Birmingham in October following the trial on the M42.

Use of the hard shoulder in peak periods saw average journey times fall by more than a quarter on the northbound carriageway and drivers' ability to predict their weekday journey times improved by 27%, according to agency figures.

Fuel consumption reduced by 4% and vehicle emissions fell by up to 10% and the personal injury accident rate fell from an average 5.2 per month to 1.5 per month on this section of the M42.

But Friends of the Earth have disagreed there were environmental benefits and branded the scheme "motorway widening on the cheap".