THE Highways Agency is asking for motorists’ views on its plans to introduce a 50mph limit on the A13 either side of the M25.

The consultation, which starts today, comes as a £150million scheme to widen the dual carriageway where it meets Junction 30 of the M25 begins.

It is hoped the project will relieve congestion, make journeys more reliable and significantly improve safety.

Extra vehicles will be able to use the road during the morning rush hour as slip roads, both on and off of the M25 and A13, will be widened.

A temporary speed limit of 50mph came into force last month after the roads authority began conducting surveys and preparing the road for these improvements.

But, as the Gazette revealed in March, the agency wants to introduce a permanent 50mph limit on a four-mile stretch of the A13.

Wole Odetola, a Highways Agency project manager, said: "To enable the changes to the road layout at the same time as improving safety, we need to introduce a 50mph speed limit on a short section of the A13.

"We expect this to reduce accidents by 18 per cent - almost one in five. This speed limit reduction is a unique solution for this particular part of our network.

"We welcome the views of road users, local residents and businesses about the proposal."

The 50mph speed limit is proposed to be introduced on the A13 between the A1306 at Wennington, and the A1012 east of the A126.

Give your views here.

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