A consultation on the proposal to introduce a maximum mandatory speed limit as part of the planned upgrade to the M1 in South Yorkshire and the East Midlands has been published.
The Highways Agency is proposing to implement a maximum mandatory speed limit of 60mph between junction 28 at Mansfield and junction 35a at Sheffield and Rotherham between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week, as part of improvements planned for the M1. The speed limit will be used to manage traffic speeds and help reduce congestion and air pollutants locally.
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).
Introducing the reduced speed limit on the motorway would require new regulations; an eight week consultation on the proposed regulations started on Monday January 6, and will finish on Monday March 3.
Smart motorways add extra capacity by converting the hard shoulder into a permanent running lane which is supported and controlled by variable mandatory speed limits to manage traffic and reduce congestion.
The proposed maximum mandatory speed limit would work in parallel with the variable speed limits which would be set as part of the congestion reduction measures for smart motorways.
The consultation document is available here.
Login to comment
Comments
No comments have been made yet.