We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time
The start point for the best source of fleet information |
The Highways Agency is proposing a plan to implement a maximum speed limit of 60mph on a 35-mile stretch of the M1.
The restriction would apply from 7am to 7pm every day from junction 28, near Matlock, Derbyshire, to junction 35a, at Sheffield and Rotherham, in order to manage traffic and help reduce congestion and local air pollution.
The plan comes as part of a series of congestion reduction measures for smart motorways; managed motorways that can control traffic flow through the use of variable mandatory speeds, overhead signs and the conversion of the hard shoulder into a traffic lane.
A Highways Agency release said: "Environmental assessments carried out on the proposed smart motorways schemes on that section of the M1 showed there was likely to 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."
However, RAC technical director David Bizley expressed concern over this proposal, stating that: "If this becomes reality for the 32-mile stretch of the M1, which seems highly likely, it would certainly negate some of the benefits of operating this section as a 'smart' motorway where motorists are allowed to use the hard shoulder to reduce congestion.
"More worryingly, it could pave the way for similar restrictions on other sections of motorway," he added. "While preserving air quality is obviously a paramount concern there will inevitably be a negative impact on business efficiency and individual mobility.
Bizley also went on to suggest that: "Perhaps the Government should be considering reintroduction of incentives to scrap older high polluting vehicles to minimise the need for speed restrictions of the type proposed."
Construction of the smart motorway scheme is scheduled to start in spring 2014.
BusinessCar magazine ©2019
Business Car Magazine © 2020 | Business Car is part of NS Media Group.
