M62 Junctions 25 to 30 Dynamic Hard Shoulder enhancements

The barrier upgrade has been developed as part of our work to upgrade Dynamic Hard Shoulder motorways to the latest safety standard.

On 15 April 2023 the Government announced that plans for new smart motorways would be cancelled in recognition of the lack of public confidence felt by drivers and cost pressures. This follows an announcement in January 2022 to pause new smart motorways.

Plans to convert these sections of motorway to the latest All Lane Running standard have been cancelled. In the Government's response to the 2021 Transport Select Committee report into smart motorways it committed to consider alternative ways in which to operate dynamic hard shoulder motorways.

The Government and National Highways continue to invest £900 million in further safety improvements on existing smart motorways, and to give motorists clear advice when using existing smart motorways.

We are installing further safety measures for DHS motorways in operation, including upgrading the central reservation barrier.

Work will get underway this month in Yorkshire on a 1.7-mile section of the M62 between junctions 26 at Chain Bar and 28 at Tingley. Construction starts on 19 April and is expected to be complete in the Autumn

Three lanes will remain open to traffic, with lane 4 closed and lane 3 slightly narrowed. There will be a reduced 50mph speed limit while work is being carried out. Occasional overnight closures will be needed, which will have fully signed diversion routes in place

We will do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum, but we expect that delays could be severe at peak times, so we are encouraging drivers to plan their journeys to avoid peak times if possible.