Spain cuts rail fares and speed limits ‘to save money’

[mailchimp_signup][/mailchimp_signup]More than 6000 road signs had to be changed overnight as the new limit came into force earlier this month. The government said the measures were temporary and were aimed at saving money rather than signalling that fuel supplies from North Africa might be affected by the unrest in Libya, but the speed limit will remain at 110km/h until at least the end of June. Similar measures were taken when the oil crisis of 1973 doubled fuel prices, and the USA still has a 55 mph (90 km/h) limit in some areas that has never been repealed.

• The German freight and logistics’ association BGL is asking the national government to call for the EU regulation on lorry speed limiters to be reduced from 90 to 80 km/h, primarily for safety reasons but also to reduce haulage costs and to protect the environment.