UK motorway reduced from 70mph to 60mph in ‘trial’

New UK motorway rules are seeing £8,000 per day racked up in fines ^[1]. A smart motorway has collected over £8,000 daily in fines after reducing the pathway’s speed limit from 70 mph to 60 mph amid the Cost of Living crisis.

This camera ^[2] is along the M1 between junction 33 and 34 close to Sheffield and Rotherham in the road’s northbound stretch near Brinsworth, GB News ^[3] reports. Over 22,000 motorists were hit with speeding fines along the M1, figures show.

When asked whether the 60 mph trial had improved pollution, Stephen Elderkin, National Highways’ Director of Environmental Sustainability, said: “We are working hard to finalise the analysis of the vast amount of data collected and will be publishing the reports in due course.”

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “With speeding at a record high, it is a timely reminder that the best regulator of speed is the driver’s right foot.” A Government spokesperson told The Telegraph: “Speeding on any road is dangerous, which is why we have strict laws in place against it, and fines help to enforce them.

“Recognising public concerns, we’ve cancelled new smart motorways and we’re investing £900million for safety improvements, including progressing the construction of 150 extra emergency areas.” All new smart motorways were scrapped in 2023 amid safety concerns.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “All drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country. That’s why last year I pledged to stop the building of all new smart motorways, and today I’m making good on that promise.

“Many people across the country rely on driving to get to work, to take their children to school and go about their daily lives and I want them to be able to do so with full confidence that the roads they drive on are safe.” Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “We want the public to know that this government is listening to their concerns.

“Today’s announcement means no new smart motorways will be built, recognising the lack of public confidence felt by drivers and the cost pressures due to inflation.”

References

^ per day racked up in fines (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^{^} This camera (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^{^} GB News (www.gbnews.com)
^{^}