Highways England has announced a series of trials on the motorway network which will analyse the effect of reducing the speed limit on some of the busiest stretches of road.

It’s the first time that speed limits have been introduced as a measure to lower emissions with worries that some stretches of the motorway network have dangerously high N02 levels.

The 60mph speed limits will be trialled across sections of the M6, the M1, the M602 and the M5, with each section 4.5 miles. The aim is to reduce high nitrogen dioxide levels, linked with 40,000 premature deaths a year. If the trial is successful then the government could push forward and introduce the speed limit to 101 areas of the road network which have been identified as having high N02.

Ivan Le Fevre, head of environment at Highways England, said: "We have a duty to tackle air quality around our network and as part of this we are trialling 60mph speed limits on short sections of our network where action needs to be taken.

"Ultimately the air quality challenge will be solved 'at the tailpipe' by vehicle manufacturers and changes in vehicle use.

"Until this happens we will continue our extensive programme of pioneering research and solutions.”

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