Report on Smart Motorways outlines National Highways approach to evaluation
In partnership with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), Agilysis has delivered an in-depth review of National Highways’ ongoing evaluation of the Smart Motorway Action Plan, a critical component of the UK’s efforts to enhance safety across the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Following the Department for Transport’s (DfT) 2020 Smart Motorway Safety Evidence Stocktake […]
Widow of man killed on Smart Motorway issues call for action
Campaigner Claire Mercer, whose husband was killed on the M1 near Sheffield in 2019, has appealed for assistance in “ridding” the UK of Smart Motorways. In an emotive letter sent to the UK’s transport media, she calls for a new plan of action to bring about a “quicker end” to Smart Motorways. “The latest Progress […]
National Highways completes smart motorways emergency areas programme
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 […]
National Highways completes safety upgrades for smart motorways
National Highways has published its fourth and final Smart Motorways Stocktake Progress Report, outlining the completion of key safety initiatives and providing updated analysis on smart motorway performance. The report confirmed that all 2020 stocktake actions have been implemented, including the installation of radar-based Stopped Vehicle Detection (SVD) technology on all All Lane Running (ALR) motorways. […]
ORR issues SRN safety performance update
The Deputy Director, Strategic Road Network at the Office of Rail and Road has issued a blog post detailing an assessment assess of National Highways’ performance against a range of government set targets that it should deliver over the second road period. Rachel Gittens looked at the latest statistics to do with RP2, which runs […]
National Highways explains position on smart motorways emergency areas
National Highways has clarified its policy after The Sunday Telegraph reported on the organisation’s actions to support drivers exit emergency areas (EA) on smart motorways. “Campaigners claim National Highways are no longer closing the nearside lane to traffic to help motorists safely leave these areas to rejoin the motorway,” said the NH response. “In fact, […]
Record number of drivers caught ignoring Red X signs on smart motorways
More than 53,000 motorists have been caught by police enforcement cameras disobeying Red X signs on smart motorways since 2021, according to new research conducted by the UK’s leading road safety charity IAM RoadSmart. Analysed data gathered through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to police forces in England reveals that in 2021, nine police […]
Labour promises smart motorway review if it forms next government
The Labour party is reported to have “has “watered down” a previous plan to scrap smart motorways. The Daily Telegraph says the party will instead carry out a “review” of the roads if it wins the general election. The report says the party has previously called on the Government to restore hard shoulders to smart […]
Chris Grayling on his experiences as Transport Secretary on this week’s Highways Voices
“Don’t try and talk to the politicians – the truth is actually having good relations with… politicians will have very little impact on the actual decisions government takes,” explains former Transport Secretary Chris Grayling on this week’s Highways Voices. He joined an ITS UK meeting last week and was interviewed by Highways Voices host Paul […]
National Highways responds to BBC Panorama’s “out of context” Smart Motorways episode
National Highways have issued a strongly worded statement in response to the airing of the BBC’s Smart Motorways: When Technology Fails episode of its long-running Panorama programme. The full, comprehensive statement can be read here but below is a brief summary of their feeling that the programme missed out several instances of “contextual” detail. “BBC […]
