Experimental 80kph routes 'revealed'

INTERIOR Minister Bernard Cazeneuve will announce on Monday which stretches of French roads will be subject to an experimental 80kph speed limit.

M Cazeneuve is set to reveal the three routes along which the reduced speed limit will be enforced at a meeting of the Conseil National de la Sécurité Routière (CNSR).

According to broadcaster RTL and some local newspapers, two of these sections have already been identified. They say a 23km stretch of road near Chemilly, in the Allier, and a 13km stretch of the RN57 between Rioz and Vesoul, in the Haute-Saône, have been selected.

But supporters of a reduction in the speed limit have reacted with anger over the speculation. One told France TV Info: “A few tens of kilometres - it is not even an experiment, it's an observation."

Another claimed: "They took the time to find places where experimentation is credible but not too conclusive."

Last month, a survey found nearly three-quarters of motorists were opposed to the plan to cut speed limits from 90kph to 80kph.

Photo: M M