Government still have plans to raise the speed limit

It has been confirmed that the 80 mile per hour speed limit trials could begin in 2014. The raising of the motorway limit to this number is still on the agenda of the Government, it has been confirmed by Stephen Hammond, transport minister. There will apparently be an announcement on the prospect of the increase sometime later this year. 

 

This move was backed rather strongly by Phil Hammond, the Transport Secretary, though it has fallen down the list of priorities being addressed by the Department for Transport, under Patrick McLoughin, the current Transport Secretary. 

Stephen Hammond has explained that the idea is not dead, the Government are still thinking about it and how they could trial it. He said that it would be extremely important to have an evidence based trial. He went on to say that they are still working on it and he suspects that something will be said on the matter in autumn of this year. This therefore means that trials could begin to take place next year. He explained that realistically it is not likely that this will happen before the Summer of 2014, it may take a year to put the right regulations and format in place. 

Two or three areas are likely to be chosen where the trial can be taken out fairly and carefully. Hammond believes that the right speeds should be carried out on the right roads. 

Hammond has always been a great supporter of raising the limit, he argued that it could provide hundreds for the British economy by lowering time spent on journeys. Though road safety charity Brake has voiced their plans opposing the 80 mile per hour plans, they argue that this increase is going to lead to more crashes, serious injuries and even deaths.