The 60mph speed limit on a key Greater Manchester motorway is set to be lifted after four years.
Motorists have been slowed down on the M602 since September 2020 as part of a trial. It was testing to see if putting the brakes on drivers led to lower emissions in Salford and Manchester.
National Highways said the trial on the four-mile motorway, which connects Regent Road in the city centre to the M60 outer ring road, was looking at nitrogen dioxide levels. It’s now been found ‘air quality at these locations has improved and is now compliant’.
However, a new report written by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says ‘in July, National Highways also advised Transport for Greater Manchester that the temporary speed limit on the M602 junctions 1 to 3 Eccles is to be removed’.
The move has been confirmed by a National Highways spokesperson, who said the limit will go back up to 70mph. They said in a statement: “The M602 trial between junctions 1 and 3 has been completed.
“The speed limit will now return to 70mph from 60mph. Work for this is underway and we are planning to remove all associated signage in the coming weeks.
“Data for the air quality report is presently in the process of being compiled. 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.
“Air quality monitoring tubes will remain in place to provide a greater understanding of any impacts following the end of this trial.”
The GMCA report also added the M602’s lower speed limit was ‘assumed to be in place’ for the new clean air zone being drawn up, which would not charge any motorist for driving inside Greater Manchester. Instead, the Mayor’s office believes a new ‘investment-led approach’ can clean air up quicker than implementing a city centre congestion charge.
This plan will see money spent on improving the cleanliness of buses and taxis in an effort to improve pollution from the worst-offending vehicles.
