LEGISLATION to increase the speed limit for lorries to 50mph on the A9 has been signed off a week before it comes into force.

From next Tuesday, HGV drivers will be allowed to travel at up to 50mph, instead of the current 40mph limit, on single carriageway sections of the Perth to Inverness trunk road under a pilot scheme aimed at cutting journey times and crashes.

The pilot will kick in on the same date that average speed cameras are launched at 27 sites along the route.

Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, said the new speed limit would improve safety. He said: "Many A9 incidents are caused by no more than sheer motorist frustration when getting stuck behind a slow heavy goods vehicle."