Nearly 7 in 10 drivers want the hard shoulder reinstated on so-called smart motorways, new research suggests.
Around 10 percent of England’s motorway network is made up of smart motorways, which were developed to increase capacity without requiring more traffic lanes.
The motorways use technology to shut and slow lanes in response to accidents and breakdowns, freeing up the emergency hard-shoulder lane to be flexibly used for regular traffic when needed.
But concerns have been raised over the years following fatal incidents involving broken-down vehicles being hit from behind.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on April 15 that all plans for new smart motorways have been cancelled, citing financial pressures and safety concerns.
But the government is under pressure to axe all existing smart motorways and bring back the hard shoulders on these roads.
‘Right Thing to Do’
RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “We’re pleased the government reached the same conclusion that many drivers already have by cancelling future smart motorway schemes which would have seen dozens more miles of hard shoulder disappearing forever.“But, as things stand, by the end of this year there will still be 250 miles of motorway in England without hard shoulders.”
The government has refused to axe existing smart motorways and has promised instead a safety refit so there are 150 more emergency stopping places across the network.
Williams said that installing additional refuge areas and radar technology to help spot stricken vehicles is “welcome and necessary,” but “for most drivers this doesn’t go far enough.”
“Many felt they were dangerous from the outset and now it’s clear the government has totally lost faith in these types of roads as well.
“Today, it remains the case that anyone unlucky enough to break down who can’t get to an emergency refuge area remains incredibly vulnerable where the hard shoulder has been taken out.
‘Sitting Ducks’
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced over the weekend that 14 planned smart motorways—including 11 that are already paused and three earmarked for construction—will be removed from the government’s road-building plans.But the DfT said that the construction of two stretches of the smart motorway at junctions 6 to 8 of the M56 and junctions 21a to 26 of the M6 will continue as they are already more than three-quarters complete.
While the decision to cancel the new routes has been welcomed, critics say the government must go further and scrap the existing smart motorways as well.
The AA, another motoring services firm, said on Sunday that a permanent hard shoulder should be restored to all existing smart motorways.
AA President Edmund King told the BBC: “Basically drivers don’t trust them, the technology is not foolproof, and 37 percent of breakdowns on smart motorways happen in live lanes. And basically, those drivers are sitting ducks.”
Norman Baker, director of external affairs at lobby group Campaign for Better Transport and former Lib Dem transport minister, said: “We welcome the government’s decision to cancel all new smart motorways but think Rishi Sunak must now go further and scrap all existing smart motorways as well.
‘Too Disruptive’
But Downing Street said on Monday that such a move would be “too disruptive” and cost a “significant” amount of money.The prime minister’s official spokesman insisted the existing road network is safe but acknowledged: “People do have concerns about how smart motorways have operated and a significant proportion have said they don’t feel confident on these roads.”
He said £900 million will be spent adding further safety features to smart motorways already in use.
“We think that’s the right approach rather than adding in hard shoulders, which would be extremely disruptive to the public trying to go about their day, both for road users for local communities, and that obviously would come at a significant cost to the taxpayer,” he said.
The main opposition Labour Party opposes the government’s position.
Labour’s 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 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 Conservative 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.”
