HC Deb 07 July 1965 vol 715 cc242-3W
82. Mr. Clive Bossom

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now experiment with speed limits by imposing an 80 miles per hour speed limit on all motorways, and 60 miles per hour in place of the present 50 miles per hour on certain trunk roads, while retaining the present 40 miles per hour limit.

Mr. Tom Fraser

I think it is best to deal first with roads which have a high accident rate. That is why I am imposing, from the middle of this month, 50 m.p.h. speed limits on nearly 300 miles of trunk roads. I shall see how effective these are before considering the advisability of 60 m.p.h. limits. Motorways are much safer than all-purpose roads, but as traffic intensity on them increases I shall review the position and will consider whether experimental speed limits should be introduced.