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Temporary speed limit on Sheppey Crossing lifted

The speed limit on the Sheppey Crossing has returned to 70mph.

Following a week of lane closures both ways on the bridge, while average speed cameras were being installed, the temporary 50mph signs have now been removed.

Work on the £350,000 scheme, which began last Monday, came after Highways England completed a 17-month safety review on the crossing.

The Sheppey Crossing.
The Sheppey Crossing.

Highways England has not yet confirmed a specific date for when the cameras will go live, but the agency has confirmed the national speed limit is now in place.

A spokesman said: "Now the signs are down, the national speed limit applies (70mph for cars).

"The cameras are due to be operational at the end of March, but the speed limit is enforceable at any time."

The spokesman added: "In terms of how the cameras will work, they will use automatic number plate recognition to record a vehicle's back number plate at each fixed camera site.

"The distance is known between these fixed points, so the average speed is calculated by dividing this by the time taken to travel between two points."

Highways England imposed a 50mph maximum on the bridge and approaches in July 2015 following an inquest into the deaths of mother and son Deborah and Marshall Roberts.

However, it discovered the accident rate had increased since introducing the lower limit.

The agency said it will also install variable message signs, a weather station to monitor wind and fog, and CCTV to further improve the crossing's safety.

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