THE speed limit will be slashed on four stretches of motorway in a bid to reduce air pollution.
Highways England is set to introduce the trial — which includes on the Eccles Interchange —in the coming weeks saying needs to be taken to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
The organisation adds that it expects there will be a reduction in NO2 when traffic speed is reduced from 70 to 60mph and if the trial is successful, the speed limit will remain in place until the air quality improves and nitrogen dioxide levels are within the legal limits.
The trial will take place at
M602 junctions 1 to 3 Eccles
M6 junctions 6 to 7 Witton
M1 junctions 34s to 33 Rotherham
M5 junctions 1 to 2 Oldbury
The agency says the reduced speed limits will have a negligible impact on journeys.
The length of road covered by the limit will be up to 4.5 miles, so the impact on journey times from 70mph to 60 will be minimal.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here