HC Deb 27 November 2001 vol 375 cc757-8W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to impose 50mph speed limits on motorways; and if he will make a statement. [17649]

Mr. Jamieson

There are no plans to introduce 50mph speed limits on motorways.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on reducing speed limits on motorways in order to increase traffic flows. [17651]

Mr. Jamieson

The Highways Agency is currently trialling variable speed limits on sections of the M25. The Controlled Motorway Project automatically adjusts the speed limit to reflect prevailing conditions, and is enforced with speed cameras.

Independent monitoring and assessment of the scheme by TRL 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 road safety, and shorter and more reliable journey times.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what factors underlay the decision to introduce variable speed limits on motorways. [17650]

Mr. Jamieson

Research into traffic congestion and traffic flow improvement found that road capacity was not being maximised.

Effective speed control has the capability of increasing the capacity of the existing motorway network without the need for an extensive road building programme and evens out speed distribution increasing capacity.