Getting the green light

Allowing motorists to use the hard shoulder is far cheaper than building an extra lane – Government figures show it costs 6m per kilometre to adapt a motorway to "hard shoulder running", compared to 20m per kilometre to add an extra lane.

Labour had dropped widening plans for the M1 and M62 in favour of using the hard shoulder, and the coalition announcement confirms they will continue the former Government's plans on four stretches of the region's most congested roads.

Hard-shoulder running was first tested in this country on the M42 in the West Midlands and declared a success.

Exactly how the scheme will work in Yorkshire remains to be confirmed, but it is likely that during busy periods sensors will detect traffic build-up and trigger signs telling drivers to slow down and use the hard shoulder.

Drivers could be limited to 60mph speed limit on stretches of the hard shoulder, with emergency laybys every 800 metres if motorists pull over.

Business leaders will be disappointed that widening will no longer go ahead.