60mph speed limit proposed for 32-miles of M1 motorway

The government is proposing 60mph speed limit for a 32-mile stretch of the M1 from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.

11:45 07 January 2014

Typically, when speed limits are set on certain road, it is usually to avoid accident. However, the government’s proposal to set a 60mph limit for 32-miles of M1 motorway is a bid to cut pollution. 

 

Countering the argument, the Highways Agency said that reducing maximum speed could "pave the way for similar restrictions on other sections of motorway" and there would "inevitably be a negative impact on business efficiency and individual mobility".

 

In its document, it said: "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."

 

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

 

Reacting to the proposal, RAC technical director David Bizley said: "This is a landmark proposal as to the best of our knowledge motorway speed limits have not previously been lowered in order to comply with environmental legislation."