‘Raise M-way speed limit to 80 to save drivers’ time’

A SENIOR minister is calling for the speed limit on motorways to be raised to 80 miles an hour so people ‘waste less time driving’.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss last night said the Tories need to think again about ways to ‘increase our economic dynamism’ so there is higher growth.

Speaking at an event organised by the Centre for Policy Studies, the minister said: ‘What kind of areas can we look at for the growth agenda?

‘First of all areas like housing, reforming our planning system, allowing more homes to be built.

‘I’d also like us to look again at things like our speed limits on the motorway. We have often toyed with the idea of raising it to 80mph, why don’t we look at that again?’

Leaving the meeting, Miss Truss said a rise in the speed limit would lead to ‘productivity improvements’ as people would be ‘wasting less of their lives’. Asked if this would make roads less safe, she added: ‘We have responsible drivers in this country.’

Philip Hammond launched an official plan to increase the speed limit on motorways back in 2011 when he was transport secretary. But it was shelved due to a lack of support within the Coalition Government and it has been on the back burner ever since.

The 70mph limit was introduced in 1 65 and debate has raged over whether it should be increased.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said earlier this month: ‘We have not done a formal safety analysis but there are parts of the network that subject to a safety analysis could probably operate at 80 miles an hour.’