Motorway speed limit to be raised
By Oliver Wright, Whitehall Editor
Thursday, 29 September 2011

The speed limit on Britain’s motorways is set to rise to 80mph but with a big expansion in the number 20mph zones in cities and towns, The Independent has learnt.

As part of a deal negotiated with the Liberal Democrats the Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond is expected to announce the Government’s intention to bring in the new speed limit at the Conservative conference.

Ministers will then consult on the proposal later in the year along with plans to significantly expand the number of areas in Britain covered by 20mph zones.

Mr Hammond argues that the new 80mph limit will shorten journey times and help boost the economy.

But the move will be criticised by environmentalists who point out that cars use around 20 per cent more fuel at the higher speed.

Road safety campaigners have also condemned the proposals saying it will lead to an increase in deaths and serious injuries.

Police and authorities currently turn a blind eye to most motorists who drive at 80mph, and they are rarely prosecuted.

But there are concerns that if the speed rise goes ahead 90mph could become the new 80mph. As part of the deal the police will be expected to enforce the new speed limit more rigorously.

A source close to the negotiations said: “The Tories wanted to announce the 80mph limit next week because it appeals to their base and they can sell it as promoting business.

“Meanwhile the Lib Dems claim there is strong evidence that in road safety terms increasing 20mph zones saves lives.

“A deal has now been done and will all go into one consultation paper.”

The latest Department for Transport statistics show that nearly half (49 per cent) of cars exceeded the 70 mph speed limit on motorways last year.

One in seven (14 per cent) were recorded travelling at 80 mph or faster.

Mr Hammond has already made clear his concern that anti-car campaigners have for too long used road safety as an excuse both to prevent the speed limit on motorways being raised.

He believes that safety cannot be the sole determining factor when changing limits and that the economic impact must also be taken into account.

He has called for a "rigorous cost benefit analysis of speed limits" which will look beyond simple safety issues.

“If you took just that view, you would have 10mph limits everywhere," he said.

“We need to look at the value of safety benefits and the cost in terms of additional journey time.

“It is a bit of a no-brainer that that is how it should be done.”

Ministers and experts argue that raising the speed limit could boost the economy.

They point out that a modest rise in the limit would mean speedier journeys for employees on jobs, reps on the road, and delivery vans.

Bigger lorries above 7.5 tons are restricted to 60mph on motorways and this is expected to remain.

Supporters of raising the limit point out that when 70mph was introduced in 1964, it was the maximum speed of most cars at the time.

Opponents say it will lead to an increase in casualties.

There were 132 deaths on motorways in 2009 at a time when the total number of road deaths was 2,222, the lowest since records began.

“The government should be looking to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our road not putting forward proposals which are likely to increase them,” said Ellen Booth of the campaign group Brake.

“We work closely with families of those who have died in car crashes and for every statistic there are real people who are suffering.”

Britain has some of the safest roads and motorways in Europe, as well as a lower speed limit than most of the continent.

The maximum in France and Italy is 81mph, while in Ireland Spain and Portugal it is 75mph. German autobahns are unrestricted.

BrasherBoot wrote:

And the M25 will still be 10 mph at rush hour.

Add the m6 nr Birmingham and you have a combined mare.

Johnny_Ola wrote:

A sensible move, although 20mph is too damn slow. Even our school zones are 25mph.

Many areas in the western US already have 75mph speed limits--which means most people are doing 85-90.

I routinely commute at 75-85mph in San Diego. Only had 1 freeway speeding ticket within county limits in my life.