Highways England is to increase the basic speed at which motorists can drive through roadworks.
The company has confirmed it would increase the speed to 60mph where it is safe for road users and road workers, after carrying out "extensive and innovative" research.
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That is 10mph faster than the current 50mph norm.
The move comes in response to feedback from road users who said they were frustrated at not being able to go quicker, Highways England said.
Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England Chief Executive, said: “All of our research shows that road users benefit from 60mph limits in roadworks. They have shorter journey times and feel safe.
“Road users understand that roadworks are necessary, but they are frustrated by them. So testing 60mph has been about challenging the norm while ensuring the safety of our people working out there and those using our roads.
“We have a huge programme of work planned, so being able to use 60mph where safe will continue to improve everybody’s experience of our roads.”
Highways England said that, acting on road user feedback, the company committed to working out how it could safely increase the speed limit.
The work involved on road trials in various scenarios, road user, roadworker and stakeholder feedback and comprehensive risk assessments.
The aim was to understand how drivers felt about the 60mph limit and that it could be delivered safely for road users and road workers.
Findings announced today by Highways England show using 60mph within roadworks on eight road schemes resulted in drivers saving on average (across all sites) up to almost 3,780 hours journey time each day.
Although average speeds increased, more drivers stayed within the speed limit than when compared to driving at 50mph.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, welcomed the change.
He said: “We know road users want speed limits in roadworks to be no lower than necessary to maintain safety – so 60mph in roadworks wherever it is safe to do it is a welcome step.”
The 60mph through roadworks trial looked at different ‘scenarios’ within roadworks on England’s strategic road network of motorways and major A roads, and was funded through Highways England’s ring-fenced innovation designated fund.
