From tomorrow (27 June) drivers will see signs reminding them that the speed limit on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge clockwise carriageway between the A282/M25 junction 31 and the plaza, and on the anti-clockwise carriageway between the M25 junction 2 and junction 1a, is both mandatory and enforceable.
Clive Cooper, Highways Agency asset manager, said:
“Safety is our number one priority, and this scheme is predicted to save around half a dozen injury accidents a year, as well as reducing the number of shunt-type incidents which cause frustrating delays for drivers.
“We should not forget the cost of road traffic collisions on the economy, both in terms of injuries suffered by individuals and the delays that result to businesses that depend on the road network on a daily basis.
“Maintaining consistent speeds on the approaches to the crossing will also help to make journeys more reliable, by keeping traffic moving and reducing stop-start traffic at peak times and during and after incidents.”
Essex and Kent police are responsible for the enforcement of speed limits on the approaches to the crossing.
Chief Inspector Rachel Nolan, Head of Roads Policing at Essex Police said:
“There is no excuse for speeding. This scheme can only benefit road users and road workers and will also help to improve safety and reliability of journeys due to a reduction in the number of incidents which cause delays on the approaches to and at the Crossing. From 27 June drivers will see signs reminding them that the speed limit is both mandatory and enforceable.”
Chief Inspector Andy Reeves Head of Roads Policing for Kent Police said:
“Kent Police support this scheme. We are committed to influencing, educating and encouraging motorists on roads in Kent and Medway to slow down, stay within the speed limit through the combination of education, publicity and enforcement. This will result in fewer speed-related collisions and casualties and contribute to reducing congestion.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England’s motorways and other strategic roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and other strategic roads is available:
- From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or www.highways.gov.uk/mobile if using a phone or mobile device.
- By phone from the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000 at any time. (Calls to 0300 numbers will cost no more than 5p per minute from a standard BT residential landline. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary, but will be no more than a standard geographic call and will be included in all inclusive minutes and discount schemes). Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call. Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
- On an iPhone app which will automatically select the region you are in. Free to download from the iTunes store or search for Highways Agency on your device.
- From Twitter – there are eight feeds with live traffic information provided by region. For information on roads in the south east region follow us @HAtraffic_seast or for the full index visit www.highways.gov.uk/twitter.
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