This paper describes recent work undertaken by the UK Highways Agency to consolidate the experience gained from the implementation of Controlled Motorway and Ramp Metering Schemes, in addition to the innovative Active Traffic Management Pilot Scheme. A flexible approach to motorway control is described that can address a particular problem at a specific location at a given time via combined and coherent use of available traffic control measures based on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). The form of control will be based on the available physical infrastructure (e.g. gantry or post mounted signals) used in different ways at different times. The traffic problem may change over time, which requires flexibility in the control algorithms to cope with changing circumstances. For the covering abstract see ITRD E134653.