IT can be frustrating sat in traffic.

But arguably it is even worse when you do not know or understand why.

Current roadworks on the M62 near Birchwood are expected to be completed by March 2020 so seeing as we are stuck with a 50mph speed limit for some time yet, we asked Highways England bosses to answer some of the most common complaints from drivers.

Why does such a long stretch of the M62 have to be reduced to 50mph? Could smaller sections not be worked on one stage at a time?

We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption during the smart motorway upgrade, including keeping three lanes open in each direction during the day and only closing parts of the motorway overnight when traffic levels are much lower.

Temporary narrow lanes are currently in place so that we can carry out work at the side of the motorway, and we need a reduced speed limit of 50mph for the safety of drivers and our workers.

We introduced roadworks on a short stretch of the M62 near junction 12 in the summer and are gradually extending them to junction 10 as the work progresses.

We will need roadworks along the full nine-mile stretch so that the scheme can be completed in under two years, by spring 2020.

Carrying out the work in smaller sections would mean roadworks would need to remain in place for much longer and there would be an increased cost to taxpayers.

Why are there steel barriers blocking the hard shoulder? Could cones not be used instead?

We need to use steel barriers to protect the workers at the side of the motorway.

We have installed temporary CCTV cameras along the route to monitor the motorway for any incidents, and are providing a free recovery service 24 hours a day to move broken down vehicles off the carriageway as quickly as possible.

I pass the roadworks in the morning and on my way home in the evening but never see any work taking place? When are workers on site?

We’ve got dozens of workers carrying out work on the scheme for around 20 hours each day so, unless drivers are travelling along the M62 during the shift handovers, work will usually be taking place at the side of the motorway.

What is a smart motorway and why do we need it?

A smart motorway uses the latest technology to tackle congestion and improve journey times.

We will be converting the hard shoulder into a permanent extra lane to increase capacity by a third and traffic sensors along the route will monitor traffic levels and automatically adjust speed limits on overhead electronic signs, bringing an end to the stop-start conditions and tailbacks caused by sudden braking.

New CCTV cameras will also provide 100% coverage of the route so that Highways England’s traffic officers and the emergency services can respond quickly to incidents.

Smart motorway roadworks on the M60 appear to have only resulted in new signs setting the speed limit. Has anything else changed?

The variable speed limits on the M60 are helping to tackle congestion and improve journey times by keeping traffic moving at a steady speed.

New CCTV cameras and traffic sensors along the route mean we are able to respond to incidents more quickly, and provide better information to drivers on overhead electronic signs.

Drivers travelling on the M62 between junctions 18 and 20 near Rochdale are also benefitting from an extra lane in each direction, increasing capacity by a third.

Why does the work take so long?

We’re committed to keeping three lanes open in each direction during the day throughout the project so that the vast majority of drivers can continue to use the motorway as normal.

This means that we can only carry out major construction work overnight when we’re able to close parts of the motorway, which has an impact on the overall duration of the project.

Could speed limits be lifted when workers are not on site?

We expect to be able to increase the speed limit to 60mph during the commissioning phase of the scheme when fewer workers will be on the site.

Highways England is also currently considering changes to the design and operation of roadworks across England, including increasing speed limits to 60mph at times when our workforce isn’t heavily present such as on Sundays.

In the meantime, the speed limit on the M62 smart motorway scheme will remain at 50mph.

Do you liaise with councils regarding any other roadworks at the same time as smart motorway roadworks? (Currently Warrington Borough Council have roadworks on Birchwood Way and in Manchester there’s Regents Road adding to traffic delays.)

We work closely with local councils to plan road improvements, and ensure no work is taking place on diversion routes when we need to close parts of the motorway overnight.

We need to upgrade the M62 to a smart motorway between Warrington and Eccles as the route is now used by over 120,000 vehicles every day.

The average speed of vehicles during peak times before the work started was often below 50mph, so the introduction of the temporary 50mph speed limit shouldn’t be having too much of an impact on commuter journey times as we’re keeping three lanes open in each direction.

Is a 50mph speed limit being extended to the Warrington junction of the M62? And if so, when will that happen?

We expect to be able to extend the roadworks to junction 10 near Warrington by the end of October.

Do you have any estimates for the number of cars which use the M62 between Birchwood and Eccles (both directions) at peak times?

Around 14,000 vehicles travel along the eastbound carriageway from 7am until 10am, and westbound from 4pm until 7pm.

Around 12,000 vehicles travel in the opposite directions during the same times.

Average speeds were previously as low as 36 miles per hour on the westbound carriageway between 5pm and 6pm before work started to upgrade the route to a smart motorway.