SPEED limits could be raised up to 60mph through roadworks as Highways England looks to combat congestion on roads like the M60.

The government-owned company has been testing different speed limits since September 2016, and in two further tests found drivers’ heart rates were lower when driving faster through roadworks.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief executive of Highways England, said that the 60mph limit was ‘something that we want to introduce to as many roadworks as possible’ after successful early trials.

But he revealed that for safety reasons, lower speeds are likely to be maintained in areas with narrow lanes, contraflows or where workers are close to the road.

Highways England said further trials are expected to take place later this year, and depending on the results of these it is likely the higher limits could be introduced more widely in 2018.