Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has today announced that the hard shoulder of Britain's most congested motorways could be more opened up to drivers, including possible tolled lanes where new capacity is created.

Peter Hendy, chairman of the Commission for Integrated Transport, said of today's announcement: "CfIT welcomes this innovative, forward-looking approach. It recognises that one of our key transport priorities has to be tackling congestion where it is most evident and it acknowledges that we should be using our existing assets in as efficient and effective a way as possible to do this. We fully support this move as it will focus the road pricing debate on the real problems and will offer solutions that will give drivers clear choices".

Notes for editors:

1. Department for Transport press notice: Better managed motorways and more funding to tackle urban congestion.
2. The Commission for Integrated Transport was set up by Government to provide it with independent advice on strategic transport policy issues. More information on the Commission, its members and work can be found at www.cfit.gov.uk.