A nationwide programme to construct and install more than 150 additional emergency areas across the motorway network has been completed.
A nationwide programme to construct and install more than 150 additional emergency areas across the motorway network has been completed.
National Highways began main construction on more emergency areas in June 2023, with the M1 in South Yorkshire being the first to benefit from the £390 million scheme.
Work has been carried out on stretches of the M1, M3, M4, M5, M20, M25 and M27 with the remaining roadworks being removed this week
National Highways chief executive, Nick Harris, said:
“All new emergency areas have now been installed, marking the end of this important safety scheme. Emergency areas provide drivers with more frequent opportunities to pull over should they break down or experience difficulties. The latest analysis continues to show that overall, smart motorways remain our safest roads.”
“I’d like to thank drivers for their patience throughout the work.”
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:
“We take road safety seriously, and that’s why I’m pleased to see the installation of more than 150 additional emergency areas on smart motorways across the country, helping to keep people safe.
“We’ve been clear we will not roll out any new smart motorways.”
On motorways that don’t have a permanent hard shoulder, emergency areas offer a place to stop in an emergency if you cannot exit the motorway or stop at a motorway service area.
They are marked by blue signs featuring an orange SOS telephone symbol. Each is coloured orange and is around the same length as a football pitch. They are positioned at regular intervals, providing somewhere safe to stop and have phones linked directly to our control rooms.
This investment in new emergency areas, stopped vehicle detection technology, additional signs and more information about smart motorways online and in an updated Highway Code, is all designed to help road users feel safe and be even safer on our roads.
(Pic: National Highways)
