50mph threat on M25 • Long-distance hauliers have slammed a
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proposal to introduce a 50mph limit on parts of the M25 because it could bog down trunking operations.
A leaked plan to knock lOmph off hauliers' speeds at peak time on the 30km stretch between Junction 10 at Cobham, Surrey and the M4 turnoff at Junction 15 could lead to the limit being reduced on other congested motorways.
But an M25 50mph limit would be a "disaster" for Kenley, Surreybased aggregates haulier FJ Wiesel, which daily uses the "road to hell" to connect with the Ml, M4 and M20.
Director Frederick Wiesel says its trunking operations would suffer: "The M25 is our link with the national motorway network. At the moment we can go up to Leeds or Bradford in one day—the limit could mean an overnight stop."
But hauliers who use the M25 for local journeys say the new limit would make no difference. John Martin, owner of Chertsey haulier JM Martin, and John Cassy of Croydon-based Crystal Express Haulage, say they rarely travel faster than 50mph between Junctions 10 and 15 at rush hour anyway. Martin says a better idea would be to put a barrier in the central reservation as most congestion is caused by drivers slowing down to look at accidents on the opposite carriageway.