Motorway speed limits could rise to 80mph

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says he is exploring the possibility of increasing the speed limit on motorways and some dual carriageways.

The MP for Welwyn Hatfield says that the decision would be the result of more drivers switching to electric vehicles and any increased pollution being offset by the higher uptake of low-emission cars. The current 70mph limit was introduced in 1965, after the first motorways were built.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Shapps said when the issue was last reviewed in 2011 ministers decided against increasing the limits due to environmental concerns. However, now the owner of an electric vehicle, he said that ‘increased electrification’ on the roads meant that the issue should be revisited.

Campaigners have long argued that increased speed limits, preferably an increase of 10mph on motorways, would improve productivity and road safety while reducing road congestion.