M3 reduced speed limit to preserve air quality

The Highways Agency is proposing to introduce a 60mph limit on a three-mile section only of the M3 from Junction 3 at Lightwater to Junction 4 near Farnborough between 7am-7pm. The speed limit reduction is required due to the increase in capacity on the M3 from the planned Smart Motorway scheme as emissions from extra traffic will exceed local air quality limits on a short section of the route, unless that section is limited to 60pmh for some of the 24-hour period.

The speed restriction is simply to bring air quality into legal limits and the Highways Agency expects to be able to remove it within four years (2019) of the scheme opening to traffic.
RAC technical director David Bizley said: “Given the landmark announcement in early January about a reduced speed limit of 60mph on a 32-mile stretch of the M1 in order to protect air quality in the area, this should really not come as a surprise.

“It does, however, come hot on the heels of the first announcement and invites the question as to whether any of the eight other planned all-lane running, smart motorway schemes which the Government have heavily invested in will also need to have reduced speed limits put in place to protect air quality?

“News that the restriction should lead to higher average traffic speeds on this stretch is something of a consolation for commuters, but others who travel outside of peak times will no doubt wonder why they can’t drive at 70mph on a clear motorway.”

Press office team

Press office team

For journalist enquiries only

Share

Latest News

Website preview
Petrol drops for third month in a row to near four-year low
Diesel now at its lowest since end of September 2021
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Be wary of the ordinary: talking to passengers and daydreaming found to be biggest causes of distracted driving mistakes
Ordinary things drivers do every day like talking to passengers and daydreaming have been found to be the biggest cause of driving mistakes ahead of more obviously dangerous distractions, new RAC research reveals.*
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Latest provisional data shows road fatalities rose in 2024 - RAC comment
Following the publication of this new provisional government dataset: RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said:
media.rac.co.uk

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About RAC Media Centre

The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to nearly 14 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

At the forefront of new solutions for business fleets and consumers, the RAC’s breakdown service is electric-ready with mobile EV charging technology and be called on using myRAC – its all-in-one route planner, fuel finder and breakdown reporting app