In article , tim
[snip]
the second lane. Between Junction 11 (Chertsey) and Junction 12 (M3) only
vehicles wanting to leave on the M3 are usually to be found in the
nearside
lane, because it is a short distance. The advantage is that it gives
vehicles a much better chance of getting into the exit lane well in
advance
of the junction, and stops much of the last-minute darting for the exit
that
you find elsewhere.

But this isn't why it is like that.

It is because when they widened to 4 lanes it was too expensive
to rebuild the junction so the extra lane was only built between
the junctions. As you say it works well, but I don't think that they
often do it that way by design.

The motorways in Washington New Town (was County Durham, now Tyne & Wear) are
all like that. It is obviously planned like that. It works well, as it
should.

Michael Bell
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