Sign of the times? Digital motorway displays will show warnings in different languages having scanned number plates after foreign lorry drivers caused chaos during recent M6 closure
- For first time ever in the UK signs are being translated into non-UK languages
- They are being used on the M6 near Carlisle after confusion over works last year
- Signs will be in French, German, Polish, Romanian, Dutch and Hungarian
Road signs are being translated into nine foreign languages to stop lorry drivers from overseas getting confused.
For the first time ever in the UK digital motorway displays will show traffic warnings in German, French, Polish, Romanian, Dutch, Lithuanian, Slovak and Hungarian.
An automatic number plate reader will be able to identify which country the driver of the vehicle is from and Instructions will flash up in the appropriate language.
The signs will be used on the M6 junction near Carlisle after mass confusion over closures near Penrith last year, with drivers from overseas taking wrong turns.
Road signs on the M6 motorway are being translated into nine foreign languages to stop lorry drivers from different countries getting confused
Highways England senior project manager Steve Mason said: ‘We’re a listening and learning organisation and we’re determined to improve the way customers get roadworks information.
‘We carried out major improvements along the A66 near Penrith last year and while the communications and diversion routes worked well, we had some feedback from Cumbria Police that foreign lorry drivers were missing some of the messaging.
‘This not only inconvenienced the drivers but also local communities as we had lorries on inappropriate diversion routes.
This sign has been translated after a foreign number plate was detected by an automatic sensor
‘We’ve taken that learning on board and hopefully providing tailored messaging for foreign lorry drivers will improve everyone’s experience of these roadworks.’
Inspector Steve Minnikin of Cumbria Police said: ‘We provided a lot of support around the A66 closures last year and we’re delighted to see that Highways England has responded to our feedback by trialling this idea by being more aware of language differences and being considerate in meeting their needs.
‘We all believe this will assist the lorry drivers from other countries in rescheduling their journeys and avoid driving into a road closure with all the inconvenience that it can cause themselves and others.’
The signs will be used on the M6 junction near Carlisle (pictured) after mass confusion over closures near Penrith last year, with drivers from overseas taking wrong turns