A highway authority has given the green light to raise the speed at which motorists in Kent can drive through roadworks to 60mph.

The move comes after "extensive" research and trials were carried out as drivers were "frustrated" they could not travel faster.

Bosses at Highways England say the results show as well as saving time, more people are sticking to the higher speed limit - which is 10mph faster than the current norm.

Findings by the government-owned company show using 60mph in roadworks on eight road schemes which supported the trial led to drivers saving almost 3,780 hours in journey time each day across all sites.

The trial was used at the new 10a junction at M20 built near Ashford.

Its aim was to understand how drivers felt about the 60mph limit and that it could be delivered safely for road users and workers.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said while motorists understand roadworks are necessary, they are "frustrated" by them.

"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," he said.

Road users said they found 60mph "appropriate and felt safe", and shared their positive experiences.

One motorist said: "Oh excellent, yeah okay, 60mph rather than 50, that means we'll get through a little bit quicker."

Another added: "The 60mph definitely helps... I just said I can't believe the time we've made up already in our journey."

Highways England confirmed 60mph could be safely operated during the technology testing of signs, signals and camera systems on sections of motorway in 2018.

The more recent phase of the trial ran from January 2019 to July 2020 and looked at the impact of 60mph being in place for eight or 10-week periods.

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