Is a 40mph Motorway Coming Soon?

MaFt · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:02 pm Post subject: Is a 40mph Motorway Coming Soon?

Just outside of Bristol the M32 changes into the A4032 as it approaches the city. The A4032, like many city roads, has a bus lane. So why, I hear you ask, is this newsworthy? Well, the bus lane is currently being extended another 800m so that it will actually be on the M32 and during the roadworks there will be average speed cameras monitoring the reduced 30mph limit.

Some people involved in the works say that the average speed cameras may be remaining after the works have finished and that there are talks of keeping the speed limit at 40mph instead of the standard 70mph that motorways in the UK have.

Source: Bristol Post

So, could the M32 be the slowest motorway in the country or do you think a 40mph limit is unlikely? Let us know your thoughts!

Kremmen · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:51 pm Post subject:

Depending on the traffic density 40mph could work.

In 2004/5 they widened the M25 from junctions 12 to 15 (M3 to M4), just under 10 miles. During that work they put 40mph cameras in place.

In all the 17 years I drove the M25 from junctions 11 to 15 that was the only 2 years the traffic actually flowed and I got home sooner than when it was a 70mph stretch.
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marksfish · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 5:21 pm Post subject:

Hmmm, I seem to remember the A58M Leeds inner ring road being a 40mph zone and am sure it is still the case. It was 40mph when I moved there 14 years ago, so not sure Bristol will be first Smile

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box2k2 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 20

MaFt · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 2:32 pm Post subject:

Ah, but that's only an honourary motorway as it's still an A-road ;)

MaFt

DennisN · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 3:11 pm Post subject:

When the M32 first came into existence, it was an A road (but bore the name M32).

It has had a 40mph limit for years from start northwards to beyond the first junction "For Safety Barrier". Nobody ever does anything to the safety barrier!
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lenfish · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 49

JockTamsonsBairn · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2016 11:40 pm Post subject:

njsmith · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 8:27 am Post subject: M32

I have read suggestions in relation to the re designation of the M32.

It has been suggested that when the bus lane is complete and the motorway regulations can't apply because of the bus lane, the M32 will be designated a Trunk Roand and no longer a motorway.

Nick
Bristol UK

jonl60 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 24, 2006 Posts: 3

You Know, as I get older I think all speed limits should be lowered and don't policemen get younger.

With an ageing population you would think that the average reaction time would be going up. Eventually, when the whole network has been re-surfaced, all the average speed systems will just be left in place and maybe journey times will be reduced.

topgazza · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 9:30 am Post subject:

Its a strange thing. I drive the M25 in both directions from the M3 or M4 to Hornchurch in Essex. If I drive at say,60, in the busy sections I get lit takes less time to complete the journey. Obviously sometimes it's a crawl but the principal of not doing the speed limit or above applies. There is no doubt in my experience that variable speed systems work and even the dreaded 50mph long long zone on the M3 gets me from Basingstoke to the M3 in a more realaxed and seemingly quicker way.

The problem I think is all the various drivers doing different speeds with all the associated concertina effects and panic breaking. I would say driving too fast and too close is the main cause of general motorway congestion and frustrating motorway journies
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Juniper · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 1:04 pm Post subject:

topgazza · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 1:50 pm Post subject:

Same on the M3. I set cruise control at 50 and just watch. A good half of the traffic move past me gradually and often at some speed. I think the concept of average speed cameras is too much for some to grasp
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stanwhite_snr · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 26, 2006 Posts: 15

DennisN · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: M32

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