Dear Sir or Madam,

Speed restricton, average speed cameras and lane coning relating to
road marking changes at the M3 junction 2 eastbound have been in
place approximately six months after the works were due to expire.
No work appears to be in progress.

On what basis are the restrictions in place? If there are ongoing
works when will these finish? When will the restrictions be
cleared?

Yours faithfully,

W R Turnbull

07 April 2008

Dear Mr Turnbull

Thank you for contacting the Highways Agency Information Line about the
M3 Junction 2.

We have been asked to respond to you as managing agent for the M25
sphere, working on behalf of the Highways Agency.

On 5th March 2007 we implemented a change to the road layout designed to
try and reduce overall delay at junction 12 of the M25.

Records showed that high volumes of traffic wishing to join the M3
westbound from the M25 anticlockwise at peak periods caused congestion
and tailbacks onto the M25. In the evening peak period, approximately
double the volume of traffic joins the M3 westbound from the M25
clockwise and anticlockwise than is already on the M3 westbound (from
London).

To improve these conditions, the revised layout provides an upgraded
entry slip onto the M3 westbound. This consists of two dedicated lanes
for traffic joining from the M25 and a single lane for M3 westbound
traffic.

Therefore, at the merge the single lane of the M3 is joined by two
dedicated lanes from the M25. After this point, the M3 westbound
continues as a three lane motorway.

Throughout the revised layout there is a speed limit of 50 mph and
average speed cameras are in effect for your safety. In addition, a
vehicle activated sign has been erected on the M3 to warn drivers of the
approaching 50 mph speed limit.

Whilst some congestion on the M3 approach to the new layout has been
generated in the evening peak period, traffic monitoring and analysis
carried out since implementation has confirmed that this is far
outweighed by the reduced congestion on the M25 anticlockwise approach.

Overall, the revised layout has delivered a net journey time benefit of
297 hours per weekday saved over the original layout and the results of
the customer satisfaction survey have confirmed more road users being in
favour of the revised layout than the original layout.

To deliver benefits to road users, the revised layout has been marked
out in traffic management. This has not only provided immediate delivery
but also allowed us the option of reinstating the original layout. We
are currently in a transition phase and moving towards the permanent
solution.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

In summer 2007, we commissioned an independent customer satisfaction
survey to assess public opinion and awareness of the scheme. Interviews
were carried out during the evening peak period with road users at the
interchange making various journeys through the junction. The full
report from this survey can be accessed via the following link

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/project...

The main conclusions from the survey are as follows:

* 57% of respondents travelling from the M25 anticlockwise to
the M3 westbound thought the revised layout was a good idea.

* 51% of respondents travelling from the M25 clockwise to the M3
westbound thought the revised layout was a good idea.

* 41% of respondents travelling on the M3 westbound through the
junction (from London) thought the revised layout was a bad idea.
However, a significant proportion (44%) had not noticed any significant
change to their journey.

* The new junction layout is preferred to the old, with more
users overall being in favour of the revised junction.

FAQ's

Why are there no roadworks taking place despite the presence of a large
quantity of traffic management?

In order to quickly realise the benefits, the revised layout was
implemented through the use of traffic management. This traffic
management will remain until the permanent layout is implemented.

When is the permanent layout planned for construction?

At present, it is due to be completed by Spring 2009.

What can I do if I regularly use the M3 westbound during the evening
peak period?

You could stagger your journey time to avoid the height of the peak. If
this is not possible, you are advised to approach the revised layout in
lane 2 of the motorway with care and to expect some congestion during
this time.

We take your views/comments seriously and investigate every piece of
correspondence we receive. May we take this opportunity to thank you for
contacting us and ask you to take the time to fill in our feedback form
(attached below) to help us further improve our service.

You may also wish to make a note that details of roadworks and incidents
are regularly updated on our website www.highways.gov.uk
<http://www.highways.gov.uk/> or you can contact the Highways Agency
live traffic information on 0800 660 115.

I hope you will find this helpful, but if you would like any other
information, or if you have any further comments or suggestions, please
get in touch:

Telephone 08457 504030 or email: [Highways Agency request email] (just
click this link)

Kind Regards

Gill Capocciama

Mouchel M25 Sphere

Leatherhead Compound

By Pass Road

Leatherhead

Surrey KT22 7GZ

www.mouchel.com <http://www.mouchel.com/>

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here.............................................

Customer Communication Survey

(Delete as appropriate)

1 How did you find out about the Highways Agency Information
Line?

Road side sign

Leaflet / Fact sheet

Regional Newspaper

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Radio

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Other, Please specify

2 How many times have you used the Highways Agency Information
Line (HAIL) before?

1-2

3-5

6-10

3 Did you receive a response as quickly as expected?

Yes

No

4 How would you rate the response you received?

Very Helpful

Helpful

Unsure

Unhelpful

5 How do you think our service could be improved?

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Thank you for taking the time to respond to us.

Your comments will be used to improve our Customer Service

Contact details (Not essential unless you require feedback)

Name...........................................................

Address.........................................................

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Postcode.......................................................

Contact Phone number.....................................

Email address.................................................

The information in this e-mail is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this email by anyone else is unauthorised. Any views or opinions expressed in this e-mail may be solely those of the author and are not necessarily those of Mouchel.
Mouchel Limited, Registered in England at West Hall, Parvis Road, West Byfleet, Surrey UK KT14 6EZ Registered No : 1686040