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| Higher Sunday roadworks speed limit tested | Higher Sunday roadworks speed limit tested |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Drivers could be allowed to travel at higher speeds through motorway roadworks on quiet days like Sundays. | Drivers could be allowed to travel at higher speeds through motorway roadworks on quiet days like Sundays. |
| Speed limits could be increased from 50mph (80km/h) to 60mph (97km/h) when there is less activity by road workers, Highways England announced. | Speed limits could be increased from 50mph (80km/h) to 60mph (97km/h) when there is less activity by road workers, Highways England announced. |
| Highways England will test the plan which is aimed at reducing drivers' frustration at roadworks. | |
| The RAC welcomed a trial but said continued use of average speed cameras was also "essential". | The RAC welcomed a trial but said continued use of average speed cameras was also "essential". |
| Simon Williams, RAC spokesman, said: "The safety of road workers is paramount but the use of average speed cameras have been very successful in controlling speed. | Simon Williams, RAC spokesman, said: "The safety of road workers is paramount but the use of average speed cameras have been very successful in controlling speed. |
| "Increasing the limit will do away with some of the frustration for drivers." | "Increasing the limit will do away with some of the frustration for drivers." |
| 'Roadworks necessary' | 'Roadworks necessary' |
| Highways England said various speed limits could also be used within one set of roadworks, meaning higher speeds are allowed when vehicles are further away from road workers. | Highways England said various speed limits could also be used within one set of roadworks, meaning higher speeds are allowed when vehicles are further away from road workers. |
| The agency said there were nearly 300 incidents a week of drivers entering coned-off areas or subjecting road workers to physical or verbal abuse on motorways or major A roads. | The agency said there were nearly 300 incidents a week of drivers entering coned-off areas or subjecting road workers to physical or verbal abuse on motorways or major A roads. |
| Should the proposals be brought in, they would come in to effect in late 2018 or early 2019, Highways England chief executive Jim O'Sullivan said. | Should the proposals be brought in, they would come in to effect in late 2018 or early 2019, Highways England chief executive Jim O'Sullivan said. |
| He added: "People understand roadworks are necessary but are also frustrated by them. | He added: "People understand roadworks are necessary but are also frustrated by them. |
| "At the same time we have to ensure as they drive through them that they, and our road workers, are safe. | "At the same time we have to ensure as they drive through them that they, and our road workers, are safe. |
| "So we are always thinking of new ways to improve journeys at the same time as keeping everyone as safe as we can. | "So we are always thinking of new ways to improve journeys at the same time as keeping everyone as safe as we can. |
| "That is why over the next 12 months we will test changes to the design and operation of roadworks." | "That is why over the next 12 months we will test changes to the design and operation of roadworks." |
| A study by Highways England released in October 2017 found 60% of drivers who drove at 60mph through a roadworks zone had a decreased average heart rate indicating a reduction in frustration. | A study by Highways England released in October 2017 found 60% of drivers who drove at 60mph through a roadworks zone had a decreased average heart rate indicating a reduction in frustration. |
| Motorways in Scotland and Wales are controlled by the countries' respective governments through devolved powers. | Motorways in Scotland and Wales are controlled by the countries' respective governments through devolved powers. |
| Transport Scotland and the Welsh Government both said they currently had no plans to copy the Highways England plan. | Transport Scotland and the Welsh Government both said they currently had no plans to copy the Highways England plan. |