Permanent speed limits will apply on the M32 between junctions 1 and 3 from 11 November 2025. The M32 Motorway (Junctions 1 to 3) (40 and 60 Miles Per Hour Speed Limits) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1102) were made on 15 October and laid before Parliament on 20 October, using powers in section 17(2), (3) and (3ZB) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, according to the Department for Transport.
Regulation 3(1) sets a 40mph limit in both directions around junction 2. The restriction runs from 83 metres north of the northern mechanical join of Eastville Viaduct to 22 metres north of the centre of the Severn Beach railway line overbridge. For the purposes of the instrument, Eastville Viaduct is defined as the elevated 1.1 kilometre section at junction 2.
Regulation 3(2) introduces a 60mph limit on the southbound carriageway only. It extends from 30 metres south of the centre of Heath House Lane overbridge to 83 metres north of the northern mechanical join of Eastville Viaduct. Outside these defined lengths, the prevailing motorway speed limit continues to apply.
Regulation 4 clarifies interaction with temporary measures. Where a speed restriction is in force by order or notice under section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984-typically for works or incidents-that temporary restriction takes precedence over the permanent limits for as long as it remains in effect.
The Regulations extend to England and Wales, though they apply to the M32 in England. The Secretary of State consulted representative organisations as required by section 134(2) of the 1984 Act. The instrument adopts the term “carriageway” as defined in the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 and provides a specific definition of Eastville Viaduct for precision.
Contravention of the new limits constitutes an offence under section 17(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Enforcement follows standard practice once the limits are signed on the network, with compliance assessed against the posted limits on the specified lengths.
For road users, the immediate change is clearer signing and a lower threshold for enforcement through the junction 2 corridor. Drivers should expect advance signing and terminal signs to be in place ahead of 11 November. Fleet managers may wish to update driver briefings and any geofenced alerts to reflect the southbound 60mph section and the bi-directional 40mph zone.
Procedurally, SI 2025/1102 was signed on 15 October 2025 by Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, and laid before Parliament on 20 October 2025. It comes into force on 11 November 2025 in line with standard commencement practice for motorway regulations.
An Explanatory Memorandum and a de minimis assessment accompany SI 2025/1102 on legislation.gov.uk, providing the policy background and cost considerations behind setting permanent limits between junctions 1 and 3. These documents should be read alongside the operative text for implementation detail.