Tories 'will set 80mph M-way limit'

The Tories today pledged to raise the motorway speed limit to 80mph in a new move to become the party of the motorist.

But drivers passing parks, playgrounds and schools would be ordered to slow to 20mph to reduce accidents.

The move puts the Conservatives on a collision course with the Government, which has denounced higher motorway limits as dangerous.

Tory transport spokesman Damian Green claimed the twin-track approach - higher speeds on motorways and lower limits where pedestrians are vulnerable - had been proved safe by studies and was popular with drivers.

He appealed for cross-party backing for an amendment to the Government's Traffic Management Bill.