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| Subject: 60mph motorway limit proposed by Highways Agency on 32 miles of M1 | |
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Author: MotobkeBob |
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Date Posted: 04:56:16 01/09/14 Thu The Highways Agency has announced a new consultation on the proposal to introduce a 60mph speed limit over a stretch of the M1 motorway in an effort to cut air pollution. The reduced limit is proposed on a 32-mile stretch from j unction 28 near Matlock in Derbyshire to 35a at Rotherham in South Yorkshire, seven days a week between 7am and 7pm. The Highways Agency believes this is the only way to meet new emissions targets set by the EU to cover built-up areas. The speed limit may only apply to peak hours or week days when there is more traffic. This is to be discussed in the consultation process. Part of the M3 in Surrey and 13 other stretches of motorway have been singled out for the measure from 2015. Robert Goodwill, the roads minister, insisted that the 60mph limits were ‘temporary’. He said “Any speed restrictions to improve air quality would only ever [be] considered as part of road improvement work and would not be appropriate for the vast majority of projects started this Parliament. We are funding significant improvements to the road network. We need to ensure that as we invest we are alive to instances where there could be a negative effect on air quality.” Motoring organisations have spoken out against the proposal. Brian MacDowall, chairman of campaign group the Alliance of British Drivers, said "The Government should be raising motorway speed limits, not reducing them. Air quality is important, but it has improved massively in recent years and will continue to do so, as newer, cleaner vehicles replace older ones. The EU's air quality targets must not be used as an excuse to reduce speed limits or abandon vital road improvement schemes." Edmund King, the AA’s president, said reduced speed limits on the M1 were the “tip of the iceberg”. He added: “Our concern is how far this will spread, and whether the Government is effectively reducing speed limits by the back door. Having to go to 60mph will be incredibly hard to enforce and a lot of drivers will think it is unjust. It is not just the emissions from cars that are causing the problems, it is the emissions from trucks, but it is the cars which will now have to slow down. Motorists are being penalised.” [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| Subject | Author | Date |
| 60mph motorway plan dropped | MotobkeBob | 04:42:26 07/10/14 Thu |