[visordown.com] - 60mph motorway speed limits bad for economy

[Ninjette Newsbot]

PLANS for 60mph speed limits on motorways could harm the economy, according to motoring groups.

Proposals to reduce the speed limit from 70 to 60mph on a 32-mile stretch of the M1 were announced by the Highways Agency on Monday.

Officials will consider whether to expand the measure across the country, starting with part of the M3 in Surrey and 13 other sections of motorway from 2015.

The aim is reduce pollution and meet European Union targets for cleaner air.

Brian Macdowall, Chairman of the Association of British Drivers, said: "Motorways are the main transport arteries of the nation and are vital to the economy. 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. If this proposal goes ahead, it will be the thin end of a very large wedge. It should be scrapped immediately."

RAC technical director David Bizley said: "While preserving air quality is obviously a paramount concern there will inevitably be a negative impact on business efficiency and individual mobility."

A Highways Agency release on the M1 proposals said there could be ‘an adverse impact on local air quality if the motorway continued to operate at the national speed limit (70mph).

‘Clean air is important for human health and the health of the environment which is why an improvement scheme may be operated differently until air quality levels sufficiently improve.’



Related Content

60mph speed limit plans for M1
Bikers help skateboarder break 60MPH speed limit
Motorway speed limit could be raised to 80mph
Motorway speed limit rising to 80mph
Benelli reveal TNT R160


Click here for full story...