M6 Stoke-Stafford Area Permanent 60mph limit?
Discussion
Every time I have driven the M6 between Stoke and Stafford (and the return) in recent times, the smart limit has been set to 60mph.
This has been the case at various times of the day, early morning, middle of the day and evening, with various levels of traffic.
Yesterday, on the northbound journey, the limit was again 60mph. Traffic was flowing. The traffic then came to a halt in all lanes (there appeared to have been a minor collision nr J15). There had been no warning matrix signs and the "smart" speed limit signs still showed 60mph, which seemed a bit odd, when they could surely have been used to reduce the limit to help prevent the stoppage.
Is 60mph now just the de facto standard speed limit in Staffs?
This has been the case at various times of the day, early morning, middle of the day and evening, with various levels of traffic.
Yesterday, on the northbound journey, the limit was again 60mph. Traffic was flowing. The traffic then came to a halt in all lanes (there appeared to have been a minor collision nr J15). There had been no warning matrix signs and the "smart" speed limit signs still showed 60mph, which seemed a bit odd, when they could surely have been used to reduce the limit to help prevent the stoppage.
Is 60mph now just the de facto standard speed limit in Staffs?
Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 6th June 08:21
I have traveled from jct15-9 and back for work for the last 4 years. It has always been the same. 5am nothing on the road 60mph...
Even worse they will slow you down to 50/40 sometimes for no apparent reason snd then go back up. It is the worst part of the job the travel on the M6 but what can you do! Our motor work network (transport network in general!) is a joke.
Even worse they will slow you down to 50/40 sometimes for no apparent reason snd then go back up. It is the worst part of the job the travel on the M6 but what can you do! Our motor work network (transport network in general!) is a joke.
keo said:
I have traveled from jct15-9 and back for work for the last 4 years. It has always been the same. 5am nothing on the road 60mph...
Even worse they will slow you down to 50/40 sometimes for no apparent reason snd then go back up. It is the worst part of the job the travel on the M6 but what can you do! Our motor work network (transport network in general!) is a joke.
What males you think it's for no apparent reason? Because you can't physically see one?Even worse they will slow you down to 50/40 sometimes for no apparent reason snd then go back up. It is the worst part of the job the travel on the M6 but what can you do! Our motor work network (transport network in general!) is a joke.
GranpaB said:
What males you think it's for no apparent reason? Because you can't physically see one?
Yes. Do you work in motorway control? If so please explain the practise. Speed limit slows down for no reason and then goes back to 60 even 70 sometimes. No traffic around (not even further in front as I understand why speed limits should be reduced to manage traffic)I travel early in morning a lot so hardly any traffic. If you are also all knowing. Please explain why sometimes it is a good idea to set the limit at 50 when joint a 60 stretch of motorway at j15. All it does is make you a moving chicane for trucks to avoid.
Regarding matrix signs elsewhere in the country, we get a lot of warnings on the matrix signals on the A1M that actually relate to accidents or overnight closures that cleared several hours previously.
Many many times I have driven south on the A1M past Peterborough early doors, heading for the A14 and Cambridge, to be told by the matrix signs that the A14 eastbound is closed (20 miles ahead). Three really is no viable quick alternative, so I have kept going.
1 time in 100 it is actually true, the other 99 the overnight road works were cleared about 3 hours earlier.
There seems to be a lack of communication when roadworks are removed or accidents are cleared. I generally call it in to Highways England.
Many many times I have driven south on the A1M past Peterborough early doors, heading for the A14 and Cambridge, to be told by the matrix signs that the A14 eastbound is closed (20 miles ahead). Three really is no viable quick alternative, so I have kept going.
1 time in 100 it is actually true, the other 99 the overnight road works were cleared about 3 hours earlier.
There seems to be a lack of communication when roadworks are removed or accidents are cleared. I generally call it in to Highways England.
keo said:
I have traveled from jct15-9 and back for work for the last 4 years. It has always been the same. 5am nothing on the road 60mph...
Even worse they will slow you down to 50/40 sometimes for no apparent reason snd then go back up.
I have also been in a long 50mph (around 20miles long?) restriction there on a Saturday am at 8am. There was a single broken down vehicle J15-J14Even worse they will slow you down to 50/40 sometimes for no apparent reason snd then go back up.
MC Bodge said:
I have also been in a long 50mph (around 20miles long?) restriction there on a Saturday am at 8am. There was a single broken down vehicle J15-J14
It’s a good job we have gone smart motorways as getting rid of hard shoulders has really sorted this problem...Sorry Bodge if I am on my soapbox
but the M6 is the bane of my life!keo said:
MC Bodge said:
I have also been in a long 50mph (around 20miles long?) restriction there on a Saturday am at 8am. There was a single broken down vehicle J15-J14
It’s a good job we have gone smart motorways as getting rid of hard shoulders has really sorted this problem...Sorry Bodge if I am on my soapbox
but the M6 is the bane of my life!I've had the odd trip or 2 down the M1 this year and there were signs that the speed limit was reduced to help with emissions. Perhaps they're trialling something similar there too? I'll be travelling through that part of the M6 very early AM next Monday so I'll see if it's up then. I do hope not.
QBee said:
Regarding matrix signs elsewhere in the country, we get a lot of warnings on the matrix signals on the A1M that actually relate to accidents or overnight closures that cleared several hours previously.
Many many times I have driven south on the A1M past Peterborough early doors, heading for the A14 and Cambridge, to be told by the matrix signs that the A14 eastbound is closed (20 miles ahead). Three really is no viable quick alternative, so I have kept going.
1 time in 100 it is actually true, the other 99 the overnight road works were cleared about 3 hours earlier.
There seems to be a lack of communication when roadworks are removed or accidents are cleared. I generally call it in to Highways England.
"rocks on the road" always in places where rocks can never be on the road.Many many times I have driven south on the A1M past Peterborough early doors, heading for the A14 and Cambridge, to be told by the matrix signs that the A14 eastbound is closed (20 miles ahead). Three really is no viable quick alternative, so I have kept going.
1 time in 100 it is actually true, the other 99 the overnight road works were cleared about 3 hours earlier.
There seems to be a lack of communication when roadworks are removed or accidents are cleared. I generally call it in to Highways England.
TX.
keo said:
Yes. Do you work in motorway control? If so please explain the practise. Speed limit slows down for no reason and then goes back to 60 even 70 sometimes. No traffic around (not even further in front as I understand why speed limits should be reduced to manage traffic)
I travel early in morning a lot so hardly any traffic. If you are also all knowing. Please explain why sometimes it is a good idea to set the limit at 50 when joint a 60 stretch of motorway at j15. All it does is make you a moving chicane for trucks to avoid.
You've already been given the reason. Air quality.I travel early in morning a lot so hardly any traffic. If you are also all knowing. Please explain why sometimes it is a good idea to set the limit at 50 when joint a 60 stretch of motorway at j15. All it does is make you a moving chicane for trucks to avoid.
Diesels produce significantly higher NOx and particulates (per mile) at higher motorway speeds.
Conversely, petrol cars actually reduce their NOx emissions per mile at higher speeds, up to about 70 mph.
Having said that, petrol NOx is negligible comparative to diesel anyway, something like 30 times lower, so it doesn't really matter what speed you are at for petrol cars.
Whilst carbon monoxide is higher for petrol at higher speeds, its not a problem-causing pollutant in the same way NOx and particulates are.
The next time someone starts extolling the virtues of their diesel mile-muncher, I'd be inclined to tell them where to go.
s55shh said:
MIDAS system will detect one slow moving vehicle and put on the limit reductions to warn following vehicles of a potential queue.
It wasn't working on the M6 yesterday. The 60mph signs were still on at the approach to, and the site of, 4 lanes of stationary traffic.The 60mph has presumably been set as a fixed limit.
GT9 said:
You've already been given the reason. Air quality.
Diesels produce significantly higher NOx and particulates (per mile) at higher motorway speeds.
Conversely, petrol cars actually reduce their NOx emissions per mile at higher speeds, up to about 70 mph.
Having said that, petrol NOx is negligible comparative to diesel anyway, something like 30 times lower, so it doesn't really matter what speed you are at for petrol cars.
Whilst carbon monoxide is higher for petrol at higher speeds, its not a problem-causing pollutant in the same way NOx and particulates are.
The next time someone starts extolling the virtues of their diesel mile-muncher, I'd be inclined to tell them where to go.
On that basis, there should be different limits for EVs, petrol and diesels. Diesels produce significantly higher NOx and particulates (per mile) at higher motorway speeds.
Conversely, petrol cars actually reduce their NOx emissions per mile at higher speeds, up to about 70 mph.
Having said that, petrol NOx is negligible comparative to diesel anyway, something like 30 times lower, so it doesn't really matter what speed you are at for petrol cars.
Whilst carbon monoxide is higher for petrol at higher speeds, its not a problem-causing pollutant in the same way NOx and particulates are.
The next time someone starts extolling the virtues of their diesel mile-muncher, I'd be inclined to tell them where to go.
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