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The section of the M42 motorway under Active Traffic Management has a new speed limit of 60mph.
The system runs between junctions 3A and 7 of the M42 and allows motorists to use the hard shoulder at peak times to cut congestion.
Tests earlier in the year showed that a 60mph speed limit improved journey times by up to eight per cent and had no negative effect on safety when compared with the original 50mph limit.
Roads Minister Andrew Adonis said: “Hard shoulder running has proven to be a great success in cutting congestion and we have already announced our plans to look at similar schemes on other motorways across England.”
It is already confirmed that hard shoulder running will be introduced on the M40, M6 and a further section of the M42.
Active Traffic Management uses digital signs to display when the hard shoulder can be used and what the speed limit is. The tests also revealed a 10 per cent drop in vehicle emissions and a four per cent increase in fuel efficiency.
Accidents resulting in injury have dropped by around 60 per cent as a result of the scheme.
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