M4 speed limit lifted in East Berkshire
It marks the end of the so-called smart motorway project
Last updated 6th Dec 2022
Drivers will be breathing a sign relief as a long standing 60mph speed limit on the M4 has been lifted.
For well over a year, the stretch of the M4 between Maidenhead, Windsor, Slough and London has been limited to 60mph.
But today, the speed restriction has finally been lifted (Monday, December 5).
The speed limit was in place while Highways England undertook works to convert the M4 between Junction 12 for Theale and 3 for Hayes into a smart motorway.
The works involved creating a fourth traffic lane, removing the hard shoulder and establishing 34 new emergency areas along the 32 mile stretch.
Although the western section between Maidenhead and Theale was opened for 70mph in December 2021, the 60mph speed limit remained between junctions 8/9 and 4.
Highways England stated the restrictions remained in place so that new messaging systems and variable speed limits could tested and commissioned.
This led to slower journeys on the Berkshire stretch of the motorway between Maidenhead and Heathrow Airport.
A 60mph speed limit will remain in place between junctions 4 and 3 to help manage air quality in the area.
Mike Grant, National Highways Delivery Director, said:
“Hundreds of thousands of people across the South East are already benefiting from the significant investment on the M4 which has taken place over the last few years and since we opened the upgraded western section between Junctions 8/9 and 12 last year.
“It means motorists along this 32-mile stretch of the M4 will benefit from improved journey times, and we would like to thank drivers for their patience during construction.
All construction work is now complete on the eastern section between Junctions 3 and 8/9 and with the successful calibration of the technology, including stopped vehicle detection, we are now able to restore the national speed limit. A maximum 60mph limit remains in place between junctions 3 and 4 to help improve air quality in Hounslow and to smooth traffic flows into London.”