§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on congestion of the variable speed limit system in operation on the M25 motorway; and if he will make a statement.[12326]
§ Mr. JamiesonIndependent monitoring and assessment of the scheme by the Transport Research Laboratory during the first year of operation confirmed its success. The monitoring indicated that traffic flow had improved, with drivers reporting more "comfortable", less aggressive driving conditions, with fewer very short, dangerous spaces between vehicles and fewer long (inefficient) spaces and more even use of the carriageway. There were also indications of improved safety, and shorter and more reliable journey times.