Section of M1 may have reduced speed limit to improve air quality

The Highways Agency has today announced a proposal to permanently reduce the speed limit to 60mph on a section of M1 from junctions 28 to 31 and 32 to 35a to improve air quality.

RAC technical director David Bizley said: “This is a landmark proposal as to the best of our knowledge motorway speed limits have not previously been lowered in order to comply with environmental legislation. 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. While preserving air quality is obviously a paramount concern there will inevitably be a negative impact on business efficiency and individual mobility.

“This very powerfully demonstrates the impact that speed has on emissions and many will be surprised to hear that a reduction of just 10mph can have such a significant effect on improving air quality.

“The motor industry has been working hard to improve the environmental credentials of vehicles but we know that it takes time for these benefits to filter through to the whole UK vehicle parc as we know the average car on the road is seven years old. 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.”