The update suggests that vehicles may be allowed to travel faster on Sundays if there is less work taking place with the speed limit returning to 50mph on days when operatives are working close to passing traffic.

A trial of the varying speed limits is planned. This follows earlier trials that considered both a 55mph and 60mph limit through roadworks.

“People understand roadworks are necessary but are also frustrated by them,” says Highways England’s chief executive Jim O’Sullivan. “We are always thinking of new ways to improve journeys at the same time as keeping everyone as safe as we can.

“That is why over the next 12 months we will test changes to the design and operation of roadworks.”

Highways England will also explore whether different speed limits could operate within one set of works. This means that one carriageway could operate at 50mph while the other runs at 60mph, depending on where the works are under way.

Locations for the trials are yet to be agreed. Once under way, vehicle speeds, traffic flow and incident data will be monitored and customer feedback gathered to determine whether the trial has been  successful.

Commenting on the proposals, Philip Gomm of the RAC Foundation says: “In an ideal world drivers probably want to see roadworks carried out much quicker with teams on site all day, every day. But the financial cost of this would be prohibitive so there will always be downtime which extends the duration of works and the possibility of jams.

“If being flexible with the speed limits could lead to slightly quicker journeys at certain times of the week then that is to be welcomed. However, the underlying reality remains: long term improvement comes at a short term cost to drivers and taxpayers.”

Others express concern that raising speed limits may not prove to be safe. “Speed is the critical factor in the severity of collisions and so any move to increase limits is clearly a step in the wrong direction,” says road safety group Brake’s director of campaigns Joshua Harris.

“Strict enforcement of safe speed limits is needed to assure the safety of workers and drivers, not an increase in speed,” he adds, calling for further rollout of average speed cameras to the motorway network.

Workers union Unite’s national officer for road transport Adrian Jones says: “On one hand, we welcome the increase to 60mph for road users. However, this has to be balanced with the safety of those working on the repairs and maintenance of the UK’s highways.”

Highways England’s Delivery Plan update also outlines an ambition to improve communication with drivers about what is going on in roadworks or traffic jams, including by trialling roadside and in-vehicle technology.

Photo Alastair Lloyd