60 MPH speed limit on the M1

[92 squadron]

A proposed 60mph limit over 32-miles of the M1 motorway to cut air pollution could see the lower limit enforced for ‘several years’ if enacted.

The Highways Agency has just launched a new consultation which would see a 60mph limit imposed from 7am to 7pm over 32-miles stretching from junction 28 near Matlock in Derbyshire to 35a at Rotherham in South Yorkshire.

New European Union air pollution rules come into force this year with the Highways Agency arguing the lower 60mph motorway limit may be the only way of meeting those targets through such a built-up area.

The report states: "For the purposes of this consultation, it should be assumed that the speed limit will need to be in place for several years. However, we are not able to give an indication in this document of how many years the speed limit will need to be retained."

It is expected that vehicle emissions will reduce as more new, cleaner vehicles come into use and older, more polluting vehicles become obsolete."

The agency said the plans are open to possible change and could limit the implementation of lower speed limits to just peak hours and perhaps only Monday to Friday when traffic is heaviest.

The consultation will close on 3 March.

[trikey]

Horrible!

Annoys me when you have to do 50 through the average speed cameras, the way technology has moved on since the opening of our motorway network, the limit should be 80

If it drops to 60, im going the full length in the V8 in 2nd gear... Ill give em polloution!!

[fubsy]

As an aside - have you ever heard of anyone being prosecuted for speeding in an area covered by average speed cameras?

[Simondi]

Originally Posted by fubsy

As an aside - have you ever heard of anyone being prosecuted for speeding in an area covered by average speed cameras?

Yep, my brother in law was caught by average cameras

[wraymond]

Does anyone know of, or heard of, anybody who has ever been 'consulted'?

[sytneraudi10]

This is the way I go to work ever day. So I hope not. Could cost me another 30 mins or more to get to and from work Monday to Saturday.

Lets hope it falls through as I can't see it making any massive air pollution difference.

[Moodster020]

It wont work,

Particularly in high-volume commute areas (such as Halifax - Leeds section of the M62). All that happens is traffic throughput is slowed to such an extent everyone goes into a jam (1st gear-parking brake-1st gear-parking brake ad infinitum).

Result? Masses of smog created by stationary traffic in a traffic jam.

Own goal methinks.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by 92 squadron

The Highways Agency has just launched a new consultation which would see a 60mph limit imposed from 7am to 7pm over 32-miles stretching from junction 28 near Matlock in Derbyshire to 35a at Rotherham in South Yorkshire.

This was discussed on BBC Radio 4's 'PM' yesterday. It apparently coincides with the conversion of the hard shoulder into a fourth lane, as seen on the M42 around Birmingham. The claims concerning "pollution" were exposed as the usual unscientific, politically motivated claptrap.

Simon

[Forestgreen]

But getting traffic to move at a constant if slighly slower than 70 speed at busy times does make sense insofar as everyone's journey will be a bit faster than if you are accelerating up to 70 then grinding to a halt and queuing. The arguement that if you go faster you get off the motorway sooner so they should have higher speed limits is bogus as the faster you go the bigger distance you need between cars - not a problem during quiet times but when clogged you simply can't have cars sitting on each other's bumpers at 70mph.

Getting nicked in constant speed areas? There's been a few posts recently from people who got caught in the 50mph roadworks north of Birmingham on the M6.

[Ched]

The only pollution we have is the poison coming from the EU headquarters.