Smart motorways, including 11 already paused from the Road Investment Strategy (2020 to 2025) and three from the third Road Investment Strategy (2025 to 2030), will be removed from government road-building plans
The smart motorway plans were estimated to cost over £1bn. The government says cancelling the plans will allow more time to track public confidence in smart motorways over a prolonged period.
Several road deaths have been caused by smart motorways
Smart motorways are a stretch of road that use technology, such as variable speed limits, to regulate traffic flow and ease congestion. The motorways also use the hard shoulder as an extra lane that can open at peak times. However, several road deaths have been attributed to this system.
Earlier this month, an inquest was launched into the deaths of two pensioners, who died after a crash on a smart motorway. It has been argued the crash would not have occurred if the hard shoulder had not been open.
Derek Jacobs, 83, died after his van was hit by a car on the M1 near Sheffield in 2019. Jacobs stopped in the hard shoulder after a blown tyre, remaining stationary for three minutes and 34 seconds. Jacobs was then hit by red Ford KA, driven by Jean Scripps, whose husband died in hospital two months after the collision.
£900m has been allocated to improve safety on existing smart motorways
Currently, smart motorways make up 10% of England’s motorway network. These roads will undergo a safety refit to create 150 more emergency stopping points and improved technology.
The government and National Highways have pledged a further £900m to improve safety on existing motorways. The government will also continue to give motorists clear advice on using the new motorways.
“All drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country. That’s why last year I pledged to stop the building of all new smart motorways, and today I’m making good on that promise,” explained prime minister Rishi Sunak.
“Many people across the country rely on driving to get to work, take their children to school and go about their daily lives, and I want them to be able to do so with full confidence that the roads they drive on are safe,” he continued.
Roads will now be converted to ‘dynamic’ motorways
Seven of the 14 smart motorway projects that have been cancelled would involve converting stretches of motorway into where the hard shoulder is permanently removed. They will now become ‘dynamic’ motorways where the hard shoulder can be opened as an extra lane during busy periods.
No new stretches of road will be converted into smart motorways, but the M56 J6-8 and M6 J21a-26 will be completed, given they are already over three-quarters constructed.
“We want the public to know that this government is listening to their concerns. Today’s announcement means no new smart motorways will be built, recognising the lack of public confidence felt by drivers and the cost pressures due to inflation,” said Transport Secretary Mark Harper.
