It’s being reported technology meant to monitor smart motorways suffered from “extended power outages”, with 41 shutdowns last summer.

The Daily Telegraph has seen data which suggests power outages can last days “and put motorists’ lives at risk”.

It says statistics released under Freedom of Information laws, show how some or all of National Highways’ safety systems were severely hit by electricity supply problems lasting a total of 541 hours across 52 separate days at numerous locations between April and August.

Only two of the 41 incidents were resolved in under an hour. However, eight power outages took more than 24-hours to rectify before safety systems were restored with one in Cheshire lasting foru four days and 22 hours.

It says stopped vehicle detection equipment was logged as not working at 24 locations over 32 separate days.

The report quotes Andrew Page-Dove, National Highways Operational Control Director, as saying: “Smart motorways are designed to operate safely without relying on technology. As with any technology, there are occasional planned and unplanned outages and so we have well-rehearsed procedures to deal with issues which arise.

“We have additional measures to limit any impact on drivers or traffic flow, including increased patrolling by our traffic officers.”

(Picture – National Highways)