WORK to convert the M4 into a so-called Smart Motorway has ended, and the speed limit has been restored to 70mph.
For well over a year, the stretch of the M4 between Maidenhead, Windsor, Slough and London has been limited to 60mph, but on Monday, December 5, this restriction was lifted.
The speed limit was in place while Highways England undertook works to convert the M4 between Junction 12 for Theale and 3 for Hayes. 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.
Hammad Malik, 40, from Slough, regularly uses the stretch to get to Reading.
Previously, he argued for the speed limit to be removed at night when there is less traffic.
Mr Malik said: “It was fine to have the speed limit during the works, but it was meant to open in April 2022 but it didn’t happen then.”
He added he is “happy” that the speed limit has finally been lifted.
He explained: “This will make the trip going to Reading easier. I go shopping into Reading more than anything else, I’ve got friends there and Christmas is coming up.
“For shopping, there’s nothing much left in Slough.
“The Marks and Spencer is gone, so you have to drive just to get M&S food, and so has Cotswold Outdoors, which was good for outdoors clothing.”
A 60mph speed limit will remain in place between junctions 4 and 3 to help manage air quality in the area.
Celebrating the completion of the smart motorway, 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.”
He continued: “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.”
