Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 23 March 2022 to Question 142060, what assessment he has made of the success of policies to introduce 60mph speed limits on motorways and dual carriageways in reducing (a) fuel consumption and (b) air pollution; and what assessment he has made of the impact of lowering the speed limit on levels of noise pollution on motorways and dual carriageways adjacent to residential areas.

Speed limits have been reduced from 70mph to 60mph between Junctions 1 and 2 of the M5, as well as a small distance south from Junction 2 to improve air quality. The analysis of the 60mph speed limits on traffic flows and speeds and air quality measurements are currently being evaluated by National Highways.

National Highways is not gathering information directly on fuel usage nor is it making an assessment of the noise changes as a result of 60mph speed limits.