A temporary 40mph limit was introduced along the route in March to protect workers carrying out the £9 million refurbishments to Lowther Bridge. Average speed cameras, activated by the roadworks on 12 June, have since caught a barrage of motorists disobeying the restrictions.

As a result, the road safety authority has been forced to issue warnings to protect workers at the site. It has reminded drivers that speeding through these works is risking collisions with heavy machinery and other equipment, as well as endangering the lives of highway workers.

In addition, it noted that the lowered limit adds less than a minute to drivers’ journeys, yet failing to comply could result in a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence.

Extra warning signs have also been placed along the route to remind motorists of the temporary limit. The restrictions had been gradually reduced to 40mph from 50mph to help drivers adjust to the new limit, but the high number of offences has made it clear that extra measures are necessary. 

Steve Mason, National Highways’ programme manager, said: “Safety is our number one priority. Tens of thousands of people use this section of the M6 every day, but for the sake of shaving an extra minute or two off their journey times, some drivers are putting their own safety and the safety of our roadworkers at risk.

“Our staff and contractors are working around the clock to complete this project as quickly as possible, and they’re entitled to do that safely without the threat of being maimed or killed by someone recklessly speeding through the roadworks.”

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The RAC and the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) made the calls as part of this year’s Pothole Prevention Week, which ran last week (8-14 September). They argue that mandatory training would help councils better understand the benefits of low-cost preventative measures.

It follows the news that over a third (36%) of English local authorities carried out no preventative maintenance on B, C and unclassified roads in the 2023/24 financial year, according to RAC analysis of government data. In addition, half did none of this work on A roads over the same period.

The RSTA warned that many authorities are simply ignoring preventative measures that can protect against issues on new road surfaces for five years after they are laid.

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said: “The ‘reactive only’ maintenance approach, which so many local authorities rely on is particularly expensive, as it means only a small proportion of the road network is actually being treated. This has very clearly contributed to the situation we are in today, with large volumes of potholes and roads in poor condition.

“The Government has already taken on board our joint calls about preventative maintenance by asking councils to report how much of this work they have done and are planning to do. A logical next step is requiring mandatory training for authorities that have carried out little or no preventative maintenance to fully understand its benefits.”

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The initiative, led by National Highways in partnership with RED Driver Training, aims to protect both new and experienced motorists by highlighting the dangers of HGV blind spots. Drivers in large trucks usually have limited vision in four places: directly in front of the cab, directly behind the vehicle, and diagonally behind the driver on both sides.

Drivers are being advised to avoid lingering by the side of HGVs, not to drive too close behind them, and to try and stay visible whenever possible to reduce the risk of collisions.

The campaign comes at a time when many new motorists will be taking to the roads, with tens of thousands passing their driving tests during the late summer months. In August 2024, just over 68,000 new drivers joined the roads.

Younger motorists are particularly vulnerable to these types of errors, as statistics show that a quarter of all drivers killed or seriously injured in collisions involving HGVs are aged under 30.

Colin Stevenson, road safety information lead at National Highways, said: “Driving near large vehicles like HGVs can be intimidating. That’s why we’re urging all new drivers to understand how to stay safe around them. Knowing the blind spots, giving HGVs space, and staying visible can make all the difference in helping everyone get to their destination safely.”

Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training, added: “Experience is a major factor in driving safely on the motorway and we would encourage all new or learner drivers to consider additional training, which involves motorway driving with an approved instructor.”

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The figures come from the 2024 National Transport Survey (NTS) for England, which collects information on personal travel by England’s residents travelling in Great Britain. Despite its decline, commuting was still named the second most common journey purpose, beaten only by shopping trips. However, these are also down by 8% since before the pandemic.

Travelling by car remains our main mode of transport, based on the study. Car (driver and passenger) trips made up 59% of all journeys and 76% of the overall distance travelled on average in 2024. However, the average number of trips for car drivers and passengers was still below pre-pandemic levels. 

In England, around 44% of households had access to one car, and fewer (34%) had two or more in 2024. More than half (59%) of cars were petrol, 30% were diesel, 6% hybrid, 4% battery electric and 2% plug-in hybrid. 

Other modes of transport saw a marked improvement last year. Surface rail trips climbed by 13% from 18 to 21 trips per person year-on-year. Meanwhile, passengers outside of London used buses slightly more often (increasing from 25 to 28 trips per person on average), but usage in the capital fell during the same period.

Cycling accounted for 2% of all trips in 2024, and cyclists took around the same number of trips as the previous year, at 15 per person. This is slightly below the average for 2019, which was 16 trips per year.

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Figures showed that there was a jump in pothole-related callouts attended by the AA this July when compared to the same time last year. According to the organisation’s Pothole Index, it went to 50,091 incidents caused by potholes, compared to just 49,081 last year – an increase of just over 2%.

It says that while incidents exacerbated by potholes had decreased earlier in the year, it believes that the recent warmer weather might have contributed to this rise in callouts. Higher temperatures can affect road surfaces and worsen the impact of tyre damage to roads.

The AA also stated that hotter temperatures can make worn or damaged tyres more likely to fail. As well as this, drivers may take more trips on unfamiliar or rural roads at this time of year, which can be in worse condition than main routes. Both of these factors can contribute to an increase in pothole-related problems.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “This summer’s heatwave has starkly exposed the fragility of Britain’s roads. The recent setback illustrates that much more must be done to create a safe and reliable road network for everyone. We urge the government and local authorities to redouble their efforts in tackling the pothole crisis, prioritising rural routes and frequently used cycling and motorcycling corridors.”

The Pothole Partnership, which consists of the AA, along with JCB, British Cycling, the National Motorcyclists Council and other supporting organisations, also commented. It stated that ‘the combined impact of extreme weather and neglected infrastructure places all road users at heightened risk’.

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The legislation, which will apply to England and Wales, is expected to be officially published later this year before going out for consultation. It follows the news that road safety improvements have slowed over the last decade.

Under the new plans, the drink-drive limit would be reduced to 22 micrograms, matching the cut-off point in Scotland, and roadside saliva tests would be introduced to support a police crackdown on drug-driving. 

Drivers over 70 would also need to take an eye test when renewing their licence, which would remain at every three years. Tests for other conditions, like dementia, could also be introduced. Rules to address ghost plates and uninsured drivers are also included in the plans.

AC head of policy Simon Williams said: “We look forward to seeing the detail of the Government’s forthcoming road safety strategy as too many lives are being lost on our roads every year. More clearly needs to be done to change that.

“Government data for Scotland suggests merely reducing the legal drink-drive limit isn’t enough. A significant number of drink-drive offences are committed by reoffenders, so tackling the risk associated with habitual drink-drivers is crucial.

“Motorists we’ve surveyed are supportive of repeat offenders having to have alcolocks fitted to their vehicles to stop them driving over the limit. More scope for the police to deal with drug-drivers more quickly would be very welcome.”

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The plans come from the Regional Road Safety Partnership, a joined-up effort between local authorities and road safety bodies. It has implemented several measures to clamp down on speeding and dangerous driving in Birmingham and across the county. These include reviewing dashcam footage more frequently, increased funding for more traffic cameras, and schemes to reduce congestion around schools.

The first half of 2025 saw an 18% drop in the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the city’s roads when compared to a year prior. The number fell from 575 to 471 according to West Midlands Police figures.

Mayor Richard Parker said: “The latest data shows the action plan we put in place last year is beginning to get results. So far this year, 100 fewer people have lost their lives or been seriously injured, that’s 100 families spared the heartbreak that comes with road traffic collisions.

“But every life lost is one too many and we still have much work to do. We will continue to invest, innovate, and work together to make our streets safer for everyone.”

In response to the data, councillor Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport with Birmingham City Council, confirmed a reduction in speed limits would happen by the end of 2025. 

He stated: “It is really encouraging that there is a downward trend in the number of casualties, but I know that is no consolation to communities who have lost a loved one. Together we must do whatever it takes to make roads safer for everyone, which is what our Road Harm Reduction strategy sets out.

“We are making the speed limit on virtually all roads a maximum of 30mph – this will be implemented later this year. Working with our police partners, swift and decisive action will be taken against those who break the rules of the road. Driving is a privilege not a right.”

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Working alongside leading asphalt manufacturer FM Conway, TfL began trialling “reclaimed asphalt pavement” (RAP) nine years ago on the A1 at Mill Hill. FM Conway has since confirmed that 50% RAP performs as well as traditional asphalt, with the durability to withstand frequent heavy traffic. TfL recently stated that it now uses the 50/50 mix where feasible.

RAP is considered to have the potential for significantly reducing carbon emissions. In addition to using recycled materials, the asphalt could have greater longevity, reducing the frequency of maintenance and replacement works. This would help cut emissions related to these types of roadworks.

Although RAP testing is becoming more common, there is still some way to go until it becomes standard practice. Currently, National Highways only allows 10% recycled materials in road surfaces, although this is set to rise to 20% later this year. Other road authorities can set their own limits, but few exceed the National Highways limit.

Isabel Coman, Director of engineering and asset strategy at TfL, said: “We are committed to reducing carbon emissions across our assets and infrastructure to help us meet our net-zero targets.

“By trialling a higher proportion of recycled asphalt on the A1 at Mill Hill, we’ve become one of the first authorities in the UK to successfully incorporate 50% RAP in the top layer of one of our major roads and proved its ability to withstand heavy traffic loading.”

“This trial demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and gives a strong signal to the supply chain that we are seeking innovative solutions to reduce the embedded carbon in our major construction materials. We hope this encourages other highway authorities to conduct similar trials and continue to drive improvements in the sustainability, reliability and durability across the sector.”

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The system, REMOS, or ‘remotely operated signals’, is believed to be the first in the UK to allow one person to control portable traffic lights in several locations from somewhere off-site. SRL says that the new signals could cut carbon emissions by as much as 3,564 kg CO2 pa per operative. 

As well as the environmental benefit, this means fewer workers on busy roads with live traffic, reducing the risk of accidents or abuse, as well as mistakes made due to tiredness. Construction company Balfour Beatty recently stated that its road workers report three incidents of abuse every day.

Staff at SRL’s control centre analyse data from the signals in real time, allowing them to adjust if needed to keep traffic flowing. The system works using built-in radar sensors and CCTV cameras, which stream footage of oncoming traffic.

It can also automatically switch to SRL’s Multiphase Advanced Detection System (ADS), if there is no one to monitor it remotely. This has been ‘independently proven to reduce queue length by up to 50% during peak periods’, according to SRL, and works through the use of a high-precision radar and dynamic algorithm. 

Iain McDonald, SRL’s REMOS director, said: “SRL is excited to be able to offer the versatile REMOS Flex in addition to REMOS Max, putting improved road worker safety, operational efficiency, reliability and environmental sustainability within the reach of customers operating short-term as well as longer-term projects.”

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Around 9,000 people took part in the Strategic Roads User Survey (SRUS), in which the South East’s roads received a satisfaction score of just 66%, the lowest in the country and a drop from 70% last year. In contrast, the South East received the nation’s best results, scoring 75%, although this too is a slight drop from 76% the previous year.

Satisfaction scores fell nationwide, with all regions reporting a decline. Yorkshire and the North East experienced the largest drop, with satisfaction scores falling from 71% to 66%.

1. South West: 75% satisfaction (last year’s result 76%)
2. North West: 71% (73%)
3. East: 69% (71%)
4. Yorkshire and North East: 66% (71%)
5. Midlands: 66% (70%)
6. South East: 66% (70) 

The respondents were also asked about their experiences on specific routes. The worst motorway was the M1, according to drivers. Only 57% said they were satisfied with it, down from 69% last year.

The highest-rated motorway was the M40, running between London and Birmingham, with a satisfaction score of 75%. However, national satisfaction rates also dropped from 71% to 69%.

Louise Collins, a director at Transport Focus, attributed the low scores to a high volume of roadworks: “Long stretches of roadworks, sometimes one after another, and miles of cones have had a significant impact on road user satisfaction with England’s motorways, with a disappointing downward trend over the past couple of years.

“While roadworks are necessary to help maintain roads and drive improvements in user experience, the decrease in road user satisfaction reinforces the importance of National Highways learning the lessons from the smart motorway emergency area retrofit programme.”

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