Sensible speed limits

SIR – The relaxation of temporary speed limits through roadworks (report, July 16) is long overdue, given the zealous and injudicious way they are imposed.

A 14-mile section of the A1 in North Yorkshire (south of Scotch Corner) was recently upgraded to motorway status after years of roadworks. During that time most drivers will have appreciated the need to protect workers when construction was taking place. However, I doubt they will have seen the need for a 50mph speed limit when work was not taking place – for instance, at weekends – especially on completed and widened lengths of the new carriageway.

The most egregious example occurred in the past nine months, before the entire length was “officially opened”. A three or four-mile section of completed and operational carriageway (with three lanes fully surfaced, white-lined and signed, and well-established grass verges) was subject to a 50mph limit. The work was clearly finished, but the average speed cameras were still active.

This sort of thing brings traffic management into disrepute. Geoff Johnson

Gateshead