article_snippet: The top speed was therefore halved to 20mph in October 2013 to comply with the 1984 Road Traffic Regulation Act, but the Department for Transport is now proposing to put the Department for Transport back to 40mph.
article_snippet: Ministers are worried that the 20mph limit is causing more congestion and raising possible safety concerns, as well as preventing proper training of tank crews to operate safely on public roads.
article_snippet: Ministers also believe travelling at slow speeds increases the vibrations of some tanks which can harm the health of crews over long periods, as well as causing wear and tear on roads and the vehicles.
article_snippet: The DfT, which is now consulting on plans to raise the limit, added that actual operating speeds would still depend on careful risk assessments by the military and specific vehicle capabilities.
article_snippet: A DfT spokesman said: ‘The plans under consultation will help address congestion that can be created by slow-moving vehicles on faster roads.
article_snippet: Increasing the maximum speed limit to 40mph will also reduce costs of higher fuel consumption and the time taken for training and testing when vehicles are limited to 20mph.
article_snippet: Last week London Mayor Boris Johnson outlined eight locations in the capital where 20mph speed limits could be introduced, with more possibly following.
highlights_snippet: Limit was then halved to 20mph, but DfT now wants to raise Limit to 40mph .
  
highlights_snippet: Ministers believe 20mph limit is causing congestion and health concerns .