• Transport

  Some UK motorway speed limits cut to 60 mph in bid to reduce carbon emissions

  Posted by Unknown Member on 26 November 2020 at 3:36 pm

  Once again, the Johnson government is attacking not just the motorists but the people, companies and vehicles, that keep this country moving and in business in his pursuit of zero traffic on the roads, except for the elite by cutting traffic speeds.

  Highways England has kicked off a 12-month trial on sections of motorway in England.

  In 2019, the transport sector accounted for 34% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, according to GOV.UK. It’s also the UK’s largest producer of emissions.

  The UK has set itself an ambitious target to become a zero-carbon country by 2050.

  But we won’t reach that target unless the government takes greater action. That’s according to Energy Institute’s Energy Barometer report.

  To that end, Highways England has cut the speed limit on certain sections of motorway to 60 mph.

  This is part of a trial that it hopes will help bring road emissions down to legal levels.

  But one in four (26%) people think it’s not worth the inconvenience.

  How does speed impact carbon emissions?

  Speeding up requires power, which burns more fuel. Slowing down uses the brakes, which give off harmful brake-dust particles.

  With constant speeding up and slowing down on the motorway, you can see how pollution can build up fast.

  Cutting the speed limit to 60 mph rather than 70 mph means less acceleration. This means less fuel consumption, and fewer emissions.

  Highways England estimates that a 60 mph speed limit on the motorway could cut emissions by as much as 17%.

  Where are the new speed limits?

  They’re on four stretches of motorway around Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffield:

  M6 junctions 6 to 7 Witton

  M1 junctions 34 to 33 Rotherham

  M602 junctions 1 to 3 Eccles

  M5 junctions 1 to 2 Oldbury

  Highways England has identified another four areas with poor air quality. But these roads already have speed restrictions in place for other reasons:

  M4 Harlington junctions 2 to 4 – due to roadworks

  A1 Blaydon Gateshead – due to roadworks

  M621 junctions 6 to 7 Leeds – original permanent speed limit is 50 mph

  M32 junctions 1 to 3 – due to roadworks

  The lower speed limits will be in force 24 hours a day during the trial.

  Ivan Le Fevre, Head of Environment at Highways England said:

  “Ultimately the air quality challenge will be solved ‘at the tailpipe’ by vehicle manufacturers and changes in vehicle use.

  “Until this happens we will continue our extensive programme of pioneering research and solutions.”

  Another attack on our way of life by the destructive and draconian globalist government that is determined to prevent free movement within our country and destroy businesses that rely on the roads.

  Unknown Member replied 4 years, 1 month ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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