New 60mph speed limit for motorway roadworks

10.20 | 27 July 2020 |

Image: Highways England

Speed limits through roadworks on England’s motorways will be raised to 60mph, Highways England has announced.

The Government agency carried out “extensive and innovative research” following feedback from road users who expressed frustration at the existing 50mph limit.

The research shows raising the limit by 10mph will bring safety benefits, as well as improving traffic flow, Highways England says.

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

“Road users understand that roadworks are necessary, but they are frustrated by them. So testing 60mph has been about challenging the norm while ensuring the safety of our people working out there and those using our roads.

“We have a huge programme of work planned, so being able to use 60mph where safe will continue to improve everybody’s experience of our roads.”

The Highways England research involved trialling 60mph speed limits on eight schemes. 

Across all sites, the higher resulted in drivers saving almost 3,780 hours journey time each day. Although average speeds increased, Highways England says more drivers stayed within the speed limit than when compared to driving at 50mph.


 

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