M-way roadworks limit may increase to 60mph

THE speed limit through motorway roadworks could be increased from 50mph to 60mph at night and on Sundays, under plans being drawn up by Highways England.

The Government-owned company says it hopes to address one of motorists’ biggest frustrations by introducing a variable speed limit.

Crawling along long stretches of motorway at 50mph has become one of the biggest bugbears of drivers across the country.

It has been blamed for increasing congestion, and drivers also find themselves being tailgated by lorries, making their journeys more stressful and potentially more dangerous.

Highways England is looking at whether it can increase the speed limit by between five and ten miles an hour without endangering motorists or road workers who are working within a few feet of passing traffic.

For example the speed could be increased to 60mph on a Sunday or at night when there are fewer or no road workers. It can then be brought back down to 50mph when road workers are on duty. Highways England has carried out tests using heart monitors which showed motorists feel more relaxed at the higher limit because it allows them to pull away from large lorries and spend less time checking their speedometers. Jim O’Sullivan, chief executive of Highways England, said: ‘People understand roadworks are necessary but are also frustrated by them. At the same time, we have to ensure as they drive through them that they, and our road workers, are safe. That is why over the next 12 months we will test changes to the design and operation of roadworks.’

During roadworks narrow lanes are installed to provide a safe working area for the workforce. This means as many lanes as possible can remain open to traffic. Highways England will consider widening these lanes or installing more robust safety barriers to allow it to increase speed limits safely. It will carry out trials, but has not decided where they will take place.

AA president Edmund King said: ‘Flexible speed limits are a good idea. It can actually be safer – with a 50mph speed limit you can often get trucks tailgating cars which can be an added danger. A 50mph or 60mph limit is less likely to do that because of their speed limiters.’ Many lorries are fitted with limiting devices which keep them to a maximum of 56mph.

Mr King added: ‘The only caveat is they have to ensure the lanes are wide enough.’

Mr O’Sullivan said tailgating and drivers hogging the middle or outside lanes were among the biggest frustrations felt by motorists.