A coalition of high-profile road safety and environmental organisations has launched a campaign protesting against the Government's plans to increase speed limits on motorways to 80mph.

The ‘No to 80’ coalition, coordinated by road safety charity Brake, comprises Brake, Campaign for Better Transport, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Greenpeace, Roadpeace, Road Victims Trust and 10:10.

The coalition believes an 80mph speed limit will mean more families needlessly suffer from motorway crashes and casualties, millions of tonnes more carbon will be pumped into the atmosphere each year and further damage will be done to tranquillity in the countryside.

It estimates that the combined economic cost to the public of 80mph limits will be £1 billion annually. This figure includes £62.4 million costs from road casualties (including costs to health and emergency services and human costs), £180.4 million in carbon costs and £766.6 million in fuel costs.

The coalition is appealing to the Government to ditch its proposal for 80mph limits and instead set out how it will deliver social, environmental and economic benefits associated with improved safety and speed management on these roads.

The coalition is today writing to Transport Secretary Justine Greening to request a meeting reviewing the evidence against 80mph limits.

Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said: "The No to 80 campaign calls on the Government to listen to the overwhelming evidence that raising motorway limits is dangerous, costly and damaging.

"Experts predict it would lead to more lives being brutally cut short and more people suffering debilitating injuries.

"At the same time, the economic argument being used to defend the proposal does not stand up to scrutiny and the average driver will gain little to nothing in journey time savings.

"We are urging the public to join the campaign and say no to 80mph limits at noto80.org."
 

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