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60mph motorway speed limit coming soon

2K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  cianpars 
#1 ·
Just got this from the RAC --


Highways England will reduce the speed limit on four sections of motorway this month in an attempt to reduce roadside emissions.
Trials of a 60mph limit will assess how slower speeds affect pollution levels next to junctions or on routes to towns and cities.
More than 40,000 premature deaths a year are linked to poor air quality and the government has identified 101 parts of England’s strategic road network that potentially exceed recommended NO2 levels.
It’s the first time that lower limits will be introduced to tackle emissions alone and the new measures could be rolled out to more locations.
A 60mph limit will be enforced for 24 hours a day on the following motorways:

  • M6 between junctions 6 and 7 (near Birmingham)
  • M1 between junctions 33 and 34 (at Rotherham, South Yorkshire)
  • M602 between junctions 1 and 3 (near Eccles, Greater Manchester)
  • M5 between junctions 1 and 2 (at Oldbury, West Midlands)
The signposted speed limits will remain on stretches of road up to 4.5 miles long for at least 12 months with a chance of extension if air quality improves.
Drivers caught breaking the new 60mph limit could face a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence.
Although Highways England expect a drop in NO2 levels they confirmed that if lower limits were “not having the desired impact after 12 to 15 months then we’ll remove them and look at alternative ways to tackle air quality in that area”.
They say initial assessments show that a 60mph limit led to an average 17% reduction in emissions.
Another four locations with poor air quality already have lower speed limits, mainly implemented because of roadworks. There are restrictions at the M32 in Bristol; the A1 in Blaydon, Tyneside; the M4 in Harlington, London; and the M621 near Leeds.
A separate plan to test pollution barriers is already in place.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
We already had a lowering of the maximum speed during daytime here in NL due to NOx emissions, and guess what, a day later (March 17th) NCOV happened, lowering the maximum speed did jacksh*t to NOx emissions, forcing everyone to stay indoors did more than some stupid maximum speed lowering ever did. Symbol politics? You tell me!
 
#6 ·
Lowering speed limits just seems to cause more traffic jams and congestion. I can't see how this can be good for congestion. Our local school used to be fine until they put in speed bumps, switchbacks and lowered the limit to 20. It's now a solid jam both ways and drop off and pick up times and the air is thick with fumes. It may save a child from being knocked down, but how many will end up with health problems and early death due to the fumes?
 
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