Smart motorways cancellation welcomed

The Community trade union has welcomed news that the government has cancelled plans for new smart motorways over cost and safety concerns.

In a letter to transport secretary Mark Harper, Community national logistics officer Tony Dunne said: “We know that these schemes can leave cars stranded in fast-moving traffic. Data shows that 38 people were killed on smart motorways between 2014 and 2019, with the number of deaths on motorways without a hard shoulder rising from five in 2017 to 15 in 2019.”

The DfT department for transport confirmed to the union that plans for new smart motorways were cancelled and there was £900 million funding for further safety features. This includes adding additional places to stop in an emergency and more technology to help spot stopped vehicles.