LORRIES are to be permanently banned from overtaking during the daytime on two stretches of a busy motorway.

The ban is to come into force on the A1(M) in County Durham from March 31, following an 18-month trial which the Highways Agency claims led to less congestion and improved journey times for other vehicles.

From 7am to 7pm each day, lorries of 7.5 tonnes or more will be banned from the outside lane on two uphill stretches of the southbound carriageway of the A1(M), between Junction 63 at Chester-le-Street and Lumley New Bridge, and between Junction 61 at Bowburn and Bishop Middleham.

Results from the trial suggest that leaving the outside lane clear for the thousands of lighter vehicles which use the route every day has improved overall average journey times, but had no adverse impact on HGV journey times.

Highways Agency Route Performance Manager, Steve Bishop, said: "We are committed to tackling congestion and making journeys on our roads safer and more reliable.

"On average, 26,000 vehicles use this stretch of motorway each day, and almost 20 per cent of these are HGVs.

"Heavier vehicles often slow down on uphill sections of road, which can cause frustration among other road users caught up in queues.

"The trial brought a welcome cut in congestion and improvement in journey time reliability and by making the restriction permanent people who use this motorway will again see the benefits.

"We will continue to monitor the impact of the scheme on traffic flows and journey time reliability to ensure the restriction remains a success. Road signs advising people of the restriction will be put up along these sections of the A1(M)."