Herefordshire MP suggests trialling higher speed limit on M50

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Tuesday, 9 January 2024 12:31

North Herefordshire MP Sir Bill Wiggin has suggested higher speed limits on motorways could boost productivity.

The MP claims the M50 – which runs through parts of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire – would be “the perfect motorway” to test increasing the speed limit.

The national speed limit for cars on motorways is 70 mph.

Speaking during an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on rural transport, Sir Bill also suggested ring-fencing funds raised through vehicle excise duty – more commonly known as road tax – to ensure the money is spent on roads.

Sir Bill told the Commons: “In order to increase productivity we ought to ensure that people get to work in and around the country faster.

“Increasing speed limits on motorways would help to do this.”

Citing the lack of evidence of the safety implications, he said: “We need to test and trial increased speed limits in line with safer cars and better brakes.

“And I suggest that an excellent place to test this would be the M50. This is the perfect motorway to try to increase the speed limit. It is short, safe, and a truly excellent motorway where we could easily monitor the safety of a higher speed limit.”

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