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Faster speed limits near roadworks on motorways and trunk roads could be introduced to ease congestion while improvements and repairs take place.

Highways England is trialling an increase in the speed limit from 50mph to 60mph on a four-mile stretch of the northbound M1 near Rotherham.

Similar limits could be seen elsewhere next year if it is deemed a success.

But union bosses said workers would be at greater risk from plans they called a "deadly version of Wacky Races".

Brian Rye, acting general secretary of the Ucatt union, which represents roadworkers, said the proposals for a roll-out would "make a dangerous working area twice as dangerous".

"Anyone with a passing knowledge of this dangerous work environment knows that the British motorist routinely smashes through coned areas due to driving incompetence, and when they do this our members' lives are at risk.

"If they do this at an even faster speed, workers will die."

He added: "Reduced speeds aid traffic flow as there's less accelerating and unnecessary braking."

Transport Minister John Hayes said he wanted motorists to be able to avoid unnecessary delays as a £15bn upgrade to motorways and major A-roads took place.

"Safety is our absolute priority. Highways England are carrying out a trial of 60mph on the M1 to see if we can raise the speed limit in roadworks without putting people at risk.

"I will be looking carefully at the results of this trial before we look to roll this out more widely next year if it is a success."