Smart motorways 'driven by cost considerations', say truckers

Some 15 sections of smart motorway are expected to be completed by the end of next year
Some 15 sections of smart motorway are expected to be completed by the end of next year Credit: James Fraser/REX/James Fraser/REX

The Government’s rollout of smart motorways is being “driven by cost considerations”, trucking firms have warned.

Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, has raised “serious concerns over the implementation” of the controversial road format that allows vehicles to use the hard shoulder with escape lanes as far as one and a half miles apart.

The lorry industry has been comparatively tight-lipped on smart motorways, which have been subject to waves of criticism. 

Drivers groups have been more vocal, attacking the multibillion-pound concept by citing safety concerns. 

“If you break down between [lay-bys] you are a sitting duck praying that your vehicle will be spotted,” said AA president Edmund King.

Last week, the mother of a man killed on a smart motorway said she plans to sue Highways England for corporate manslaughter.

Smart motorways have also sparked frustration among motorists over the miles of roadworks needed to construct overhead gantries and that when up and running variable limits lower speed limits.

Ministers have consistently defended the rollout, saying the economy will be boosted by £2 for £1 that is lost in delays while the motorways are being upgraded.

Labour peer Lord Lipsey said: “Huge costs are being borne by motorists now, while the benefits, highly speculative, are years in the future.” 

Smart motorway
There are concerns about smart motorways, which dispense with the hard shoulder and implement variable speed limits

Mr Burnett called for the hard shoulder only to be used as a live lane “when needed” and urged authorities to build more and larger lay-bys.

“The RHA has supported the creation of smart motorways as a means of adding capacity to the network and maintaining traffic flow,” he said.

He continued: “However, we have always expressed serious concerns over the implementation… We have been successful in the past on getting changes on some issues – but not on many things. The programme has been driven by cost considerations far too much in our view.”

Highways England chief highway engineer Mike Wilson said last week: “Motorways in this country are among the very safest roads in the world. Highways England would never carry out a major improvement scheme without being confident that we would maintain or enhance this position.”

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