Highways England (HE) has begun tests at Croft Interchange, as part of a pilot project that has been designed and developed to address the traffic congestion issues along the M62 near Warrington in Cheshire.

According to HE, the Croft Interchange project that connects junction 21a of the M6 to junction 10 of the M62, would deliver smoother journeys along the eastbound M62.

The testing phase is expected to be completed in December or January next year.

Upon completion, electronic information signs and variable mandatory speed limits on the M62 will be integrated with traffic lights on the motorway link roads from the M6, to provide smoother traffic flows.

HE North West programme delivery manager Andy Withington said: “This is an opportunity to combine existing technology and traffic management systems in a novel way to see whether we can give drivers using the frequently congested eastbound M62, lower journey times during peak hours and smoother, more reliable journeys.

“Once the system is fully up and running we’ll be monitoring its use over a period of up to a year.”

“Once the system is fully up and running we’ll be monitoring its use over a period of up to a year. If it is successful – and we believe it will be – it could well be used on other motorways to motorway link roads across the country.”

The new motorway to motorway system is planned to be implemented in two phases.

In the first phase, the electronic variable message signs will be introduced and the drivers travelling between junction 9 and 11 of the eastbound M62 will witness signs in operation displaying mandatory variable speed limits and other information such as warnings of congestion.

The second phase will see the traffic lights being switched on at the end of the link roads onto the eastbound M62.

The project has been financed through the £150m innovation fund, part of the £15bn allocated to HE in the UK Government’s 2015 to 2020 Road Investment Strategy.