M20 to get variable speed limits

Published: 12 April 2013
By Chris Haycock

The Highways Agency and roads minister Stephen Hammond has revealed that they will be spending £5.8 million on four South East roads and motorways to improve safety and reduce congestion. As a result, the M20 motorway will see CCTV placed on a major section, and variable speed limits on the M25 will be extended into areas of Kent beyond Sevenoaks. This is in addition to the existing work that is underway around Junction 5 on the M25. £2.91 million is set to be spent on the section of motorway between Junctions 7 & 8. Variable speed limits will be introduced in order to help keep traffic moving and prevent traffic jams on the popular motorway stretch, with the speed limits changed according to the time of day, as well as the current conditions. CCTV is also set to be introduced on the M20 between J8 and J11 (between Hollingbourne and Westenhanger), a stretch of approximately 29 miles of motorway. The CCTV will help Highways Agency staff to deploy help and assistance rapidly in the case of breakdowns or accidents. Commenting about the new installation, a Highways Agency spokesman said, "Utilising a variable speed system enables the effective control of motorway traffic. Speeds are reduced as the roads get busier, and the effect is a higher average speed. And the CCTV system will allow control rooms to better manage traffic and be able to monitor any incident that may be developing."