The speed restriction came into effect on the M25, between junction 5 for Clacket Lane to junction 7 for the M23, during the set up of additional emergency lay-bys in April.

Even after the completion of the installations, drivers and local residents lambasted the prolonged enforcement as "ridiculous", expressing their frustration over the continued inconvenience.

Nancy Spearpoint vented to KentOnline: "Everyone's fed up with it. I think they are pointless, causing absolute havoc, everyone I speak to says how disruptive it is and it's making everyone's lives hell and very stressful."

Paul Alford, 62, criticised the measure: "I think it's a little bit dangerous and very frustrating for drivers.

"People get frustrated. If everybody goes 50mph it would flow nicely but people are going faster, slowing down for cameras, braking, and as far as I'm concerned you shouldn't need to brake when you are on the motorway."

Although there were forecasts that the speed limitations could remain for a duration extending to 12 weeks, National Highways has recently affirmed that the cap was rescinded on Friday (May 30), reinstating the usual national speed limit of 70mph on the road.

National Highways carried out the project to incorporate the necessary emergency facilities across all lanes of smart motorways in the southeast.

Despite concluding the core operations on April 23, added scrutiny meant that the speed limitation persisted until confirmation last Friday.

National Highways said the speed limit related to retrofit work, which means all the new technology which has been installed will be "finely adjusted" to suit the environment of the road.

In a statement, a spokesperson for National Highways said: "The national speed limit was restored on Friday evening between junctions 5 and 7 of the M25 following an upgrade to the motorway's Stopped Vehicle Detection (SVD) system.

"We are grateful to drivers for their patience while this upgrade has taken place."

The SVD helps National Highways to spot any vehicles that have stopped in a live lane, sets signs and signals to warn oncoming drivers and enables the company to get help on the way to them quickly.