PLANS to simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) have been announced by the Government.

For many trucks – those between 3.5 and 7.5tonne – the Department for Transport (DfT) plan is a dramatic cut from 70 to 60mph and a ban from lane three for these heavy goods vehicles.

Buses, coaches and minibuses (passenger carrying vehicles or PCVs) and big motorhomes would also be affected, although long coaches could actually go a little faster, at 65mph.

The plans – overshadowed in national media by the Toyota recall to remedy a rare accelerator pedal problem highlighted in Wheels a week ago (see page 37 today) – have been greeted with caution by the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

The changes are needed because of differences that have arisen between new vehicles, which are fitted with speed limiters, and older vehicles which are not.

This means that while newer HGVs are limited to 56mph older vehicles are able to drive at up to 70mph on the motorway.

Similarly, new passenger vehicles with over eight seats are limited to 62.5mph but older vehicles can drive at 70mph.

Jo Tanner of the FTA said: “While we welcome DfT’s attempts to simplify the speed limit rules, any such proposals will need to be properly communicated to the general public and there will need to be clear signage on the road network.”

FTA is also wary about further speed reductions widening the differential between commercial vehicles and cars.

Tanner concluded: “Slower speeds do not necessarily mean safer roads.

“Reducing the speed limit for some lorries will widen the speed differential between commercial vehicles and motorists, which may engender dangerous overtaking from frustrated road users and could actually pose a safety risk.”

The DfT says the limit differentials can cause confusion for other drivers and creates a disincentive for companies to invest in safer and more fuel efficient vehicles.

In addition, vehicles with speed limiters are not allowed to use the right hand lane of three lane motorways but those without speed limiters currently are.

The proposals put forward include:

• Setting a 65mph limit for all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats regardless of whether they have a speed limiter;

• Setting the motorway speed limit at 60 mph for all HGVs over 3.5 tonnes regardless of whether they have a limiter;

• Prohibiting all HGVs between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes and all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats from using the right hand lane of motorways with three or more lanes.

• The consultation can be found at dft.gov.uk/consultations/open. It will close on Tuesday, April 27.