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A 50mph limit left in place on two sections of the M25 for a month after work ended, causing “absolute havoc” for motorists, has finally been lifted.
The speed restriction was brought in between junction 5 for Clacket Lane and 7 for the M23 in April during the installation of additional emergency areas.
But having seen the restrictions remain following the works’ conclusion, residents and drivers told KentOnline the limit was “ridiculous”.
Motorist Nancy Spearpoint previously told KentOnline: “Everyone’s fed up with it.
“I think they are pointless, causing absolute havoc, everyone I speak to says how disruptive it is and it's making everyone’s lives hell and very stressful.”
Paul Alford, 62, added: “I think it’s a little bit dangerous and very frustrating for drivers.
“People get frustrated. If everybody goes 50mph it would flow nicely but people are going faster, slowing down for cameras, braking, and as far as I’m concerned you shouldn’t need to brake when you are on the motorway.”
It was previously predicted the speed limit could be in force for up to 12 weeks, however National Highways has now confirmed it was lifted on Friday with the road back up to the regular national speed limit of 70mph.
The company carried out the work to install the emergency areas on all lanes running smart motorways in the south east.
Although the roadworks came to an end on April 23, the speed restrictions remained in place as further testing was carried out.
National Highways said the speed limit related to retrofit work, which means all the new technology which has been installed will be “finely adjusted” to suit the environment of the road.
In a statement, a spokesperson for National Highways said: “The national speed limit was restored on Friday evening between junctions 5 and 7 of the M25 following an upgrade to the motorway's Stopped Vehicle Detection (SVD) system.
“We are grateful to drivers for their patience while this upgrade has taken place.”
The SVD helps National Highways to spot any vehicles that have stopped in a live lane, sets signs and signals to warn oncoming drivers and enables the company to get help on the way to them quickly.