M20 Controlled Motorway Highway Agency consultation

9.07.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th May 2009

Tony Harwood and the noise monitoring team

The Highways Agency consultation on the implementation of a "Controlled Motorway" variable speed limit scheme between junctions 4 and 7 of the M20 has been launched.

This initiative is the result of powerful campaigning and lobbying by local residents supported by Maidstone Borough Council and will be the first such scheme outside the M25. This trail-blazing status for Maidstone recognises the profound impact of the M20 on the lives of people living and working in the County Town.

All too frequently crashes occur on the M20 (with often tragic consequences) which leads to gridlock across the town and requisite impacts upon individuals and the local economy - it has been statistically proven that variable speed limits slash the incidence of such crashes and improve traffic flows.

Poor air quality is a curse affecting the quality of life and health of residents in Maidstone and is particularly serious close to the M20. A reduction in speed limits on the residential stretch of the M20, which would improve fuel economy and therefore cut emissions, is the single most effective weapon in our armoury to improve local air quality and thus human health.

The level of noise reduction achieved by a cut in speeds on the M20 from 70/80 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour would be almost half.

It is vital that those residents who suffer from the disruption resulting from crashes and the noise and air pollution arising from speeding traffic on residential stretches of the M20 make their voices heard.

The consultation link is:

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/23322.aspx