Consultation outcome

Raising speed limits for heavy goods vehicles on single carriageways

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Examining the speed limit for HGV's over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway roads: summary of response and government response

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Raising the national speed for HGV's on single carriageway road in England and Wales: impact assessment

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Detail of outcome

This report presents the feedback received during the consultation period, an analysis of the responses and the government’s position following the consultation.


Original consultation

Summary

Proposal to increase the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway roads.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The maximum speed limit for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway roads is prescribed in Schedule 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1984. The current speed limit on single carriageways for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes is 40 miles per hour (mph). The speed limit for smaller HGVs (those between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes) is 50 mph. The government made a commitment in ‘The logistics growth review – connecting people with goods’ document published in November 2011, to consult on this issue during 2012.

Stakeholders have said that the 40 mph speed limit causes unnecessary cost to vehicle operators, congestion, avoidable overtaking accidents and creates an uneven playing field for businesses.

The freight and logistics sector is an essential part of the economy, vital to businesses of all sizes and sectors. Raising HGV speed limits on single carriageway roads could lead to quicker journeys and lower costs for the sector, aiding economic growth as well as reducing frustration for the many drivers who find themselves stuck behind slower-moving lorries on busy roads unable to overtake.

However there are other consequences of greater speed – both in terms of the environmental impacts and the potential effects on road safety. The department wants to make sure we have carefully considered the evidence of all of the effects on the economy, environment and road safety before any decision is made.

Documents

Consultation document

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Examining the speed limit for heavy good vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway roads: impact assessment

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 9 November 2012
Last updated 24 July 2014 + show all updates
  1. Government response and impact assessment for examining the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway roads published.

  2. First published.

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