M-way works limit set to 60mph ‘where safe’

THE maximum speed limit on sections of motorway undergoing roadworks will be raised from 50mph to 60mph where safe to do so, Highways England has announced.

The Government-owned firm responsible for managing the country’s Strategic Road Network said it made the decision after receiving feedback from drivers who felt frustrated by the lower roadworks limits.

This prompted the organisation to research how it might safely increase the speed limit through motorway roadworks. These are normally set at 50mph – often with an average speed check in place – but Highways England has concluded that, in some instances, the maximum limit can be raised to 60mph.

Highways England’s research looked at eight road schemes around the UK, on which it transpired that raising the speed limit from 50mph to 60mph would save drivers an average of almost 3,780 hours of journey time per day across all sites.

In addition, the organisation believes that motorists would be less likely to break a 60mph limit than they would a 50mph one.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief executive of Highways England, said: “All of our research shows that road users benefit from 60mph limits in roadworks. They have shorter journey times and feel safe.”

Anthony Smith, chief executive of independent watchdog Transport Focus, added: “We know road users want speed limits in roadworks to be no lower than necessary to maintain safety, so 60mph in roadworks wherever it is safe to do so is a welcome step.”

“Raising the limit to 60mph would save drivers almost 3,780 hours of journey time per day across all sites“