Government Axes All Plans For New Smart Motorways
Rishi Sunak has announced that his government has introduced a ban on building any new Smart Motorway developments following safety and cost concerns.
Smart Motorways were introduced in 2014 with the overall goal of easing congestion. They involve various different methods to ease traffic congestion, including changing the hard shoulder into a live lane. However, following several fatal accidents they have been at the centre of controversy with members of the public lobbying to have them banned.
Currently, 10% of the UKs motorway network are designated smart motorways. 14 current schemes that are in the planning stage or already being built will be scrapped.
RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “This is a watershed announcement and a victory for everyone who has campaigned against these motorways that, by their design, put drivers in more danger should they be unlucky enough to break down on one.
Current operational Smart Motorways will not be changed or removed. However, Labour has called on the government to restore the hard shoulder on active smart motorways.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: “Labour have long demanded action on smart motorways and it’s a tragedy that so many lives have been lost waiting for Conservative ministers to act.
“We know smart motorways, coupled with inadequate safety systems, are not fit for purpose and are putting lives at risk.
“That’s why ministers should reinstate the hard shoulder on existing smart motorways and carry out remedial and safety work while a comprehensive review of the inadequate safety systems and evidence takes place,”
