THE speed limit through roadworks could be increased to 60 miles per hour under new plans put forward by Highways England.

Following feedback from motorists, Highways England is working to try and reduce drivers' frustration with roadworks.

It has already carried out trials of increasing the speed limit through roadworks from 50mph to 55mph and 60mph, and will carry out further tests on varying speed limits.

The speed limit could be increased to 60mph on Sundays if less activity is taking place, and brought back down to 50mph when near workers.

It could mean different carriageways have different speed limits due to the distance from workers.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief executive of Highways England, said: “People understand roadworks are necessary but are also frustrated by them.

"At the same time we have to ensure as they drive through them that they, and our road workers, are safe.

“So we are always thinking of new ways to improve journeys at the same time as keeping everyone as safe as we can.

"That is why over the next 12 months we will test changes to the design and operation of roadworks.

“We are also working hard to give drivers more and better information about their journeys and to prepare our network for the future, for example the testing of roadside and vehicle technology, so we can continue to keep people, and the country, connected.”

The locations of the trials are yet to be agreed, and once underway Highways England will monitor the speed of vehicles, flow of traffic, look at incident data and gather motorist feedback to assess the scheme's success.