The Department for Transport has outlined its approach to smart motorways in England under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with the reforms aimed at cutting road fatalities. The wide-ranging initiative was unveiled and introduced in January under then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, says Yorkshire Live.
Now serving as PM, Mr Burnham has taken on the strategy, which examines potential changes spanning everything from seatbelts, compulsory car assistance technology and vision tests for motorists aged over 70, to establishing a minimum learning period for provisional licence holders in the UK as well.
However, one aspect that will remain unchanged is the government’s pledge not to construct any new smart motorways. The document confirms it will “continue to support smart motorways being as safe as possible”.
However, it states:
“Whilst the latest analysis published by National Highways continues to show that, overall, smart motorways are safer than conventional motorways in terms of deaths and serious injuries, government recognises public concerns and will not be building any new smart motorways.”
“During the second road period (April 2020-March 2025), National Highways delivered safety improvements on existing smart motorways, including rolling out stopped vehicle detection technology and building over 150 additional places to stop in an emergency across all lane running motorways.
“National Highways is now progressing work to evaluate the impact of these measures. The government is continuing to collect five years of safety and economic data and expect this work to complete in 2028. Smart motorway safety performance continues to be monitored.
“During the third road period (April 2026-March 2031), National Highways will continue to take action to improve safety across the SRN, including on smart motorways.”
The majority of England’s smart motorway schemes have delivered poor or very poor value for money, according to assessments by the government agency responsible for their construction.
Yorkshire Live claims that official evaluations from National Highways revealed that smart motorway projects were classified as “poor” or “very poor” value. The AA stated the reports exposed smart motorways as a “catastrophic waste of time, money and effort.”
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