Highway England plans to upgrade M23

Highways England (HE) has revealed plans to upgrade an 11-mile stretch of the M23 between the M25 and Gatwick Airport to a smart motorway.  

The upgrade will see the addition of an extra lane in each direction to the M23 near Gatwick Airport, between junction 8 for Merstham and junction 10 at Copthorne region.

With the help of new technology, transport authorities will be able to manage traffic to reduce delays and give drivers up to date information about conditions on the road ahead.

Highways England project manager Miguel Machado said: "This new stretch of smart motorway will tackle congestion and improve journey times not only for the tens of thousands of drivers who use the M23 every day but also for business travellers and holidaymakers using Gatwick Airport, as well as residents and businesses based in the area.

"Smart motorways are central to our ambitious plans for modernising the motorway network and will add 120 miles of new lanes to motorways in the south-east by 2020. They add vital extra capacity, improve journey times and maintain high levels of safety."

"Smart motorways are central to our ambitious plans for modernising the motorway network and will add 120 miles of new lanes to motorways in the south-east by 2020."

The M23 serves as a key road, connecting Crawley and Gatwick Airport to the M25 motorway, in addition to routes into London and the rest of the UK.

Upgrading M23 to a smart motorway is expected to improve safety, ease congestion and make journey times more reliable.

As part of the upgrade, the hard shoulder will be converted into a live running lane between junctions 8 and 10 in both directions.