Lorry speed limit raised to 50mph

Transport minister Claire Perry said the change, which will come into force next year, will “cut congestion, reduce dangerous overtaking and help get the country moving”.

Heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are limited to 40 mph on single carriageway roads. The speed limit, set in the 1960s, is at odds with other large vehicles on the roads.

Road Haulage AssociationChief Executive Geoff Dunning said:

“This evidence-based decision by ministers, to increase the limit to 50 mph will be strongly welcomed by hauliers and their drivers. The current limit is long out-of-date and the frustration it generates causes unnecessary road safety risk.

“We consider this announcement to be a real win for the RHA. We have lobbied long and hard on this issue and this positive outcome is a result of members’ input and support.”

The government has also launched a consultation on plans to increase the speed limits for HGVs on dual carriageways from 50 mph to 60 mph.

“We’re are doing all we can to get Britain moving and boost growth,” Mrs Perry said.

“This change will do exactly that and save our haulage industry £11 million a year.

“Britain has one of the world’s best road safety records and yet speed limits for lorries have been stuck in the 1960s.

“This change will remove a 20 mph difference between lorry and car speed limits, cutting dangerous overtaking and bringing permitted lorry speeds into line with other large vehicles like coaches and caravans. Current speed limits for HGVs were introduced around 50 years ago and need to be updated given improved vehicle technology.”

The change in speed limits for HGVs on single carriageways will come into force in April 2015 and will bring England and Wales in line with other European road safety leaders, such as Denmark and Norway. Depending on the consultation responses, the increase for dual carriageways will come in at the same time. The existing limits continue to apply until the change has been put into effect.