SMART motorways were introduced by the coalition government in 2014 in order to speed up traffic.
However, this move has not been successful, with a number of people being killed on them, resulting in a government enquiry. This is what we know.
Hard shoulders have been removed on many stretches of some of the UK’s busiest roadsAlamy
What are smart motorways?
There are three types of smart motorway in the UK – all lane running (ARL), controlled, and dynamic hard shoulder.
ARL are sections of motorway that do not have a hard shoulder.
They were introduced in 2014 with a view to controlling traffic flow and easing congestion.
Around 10 per cent of Britain’s motorways is made up of them.
Instead they use specially designed Emergency Refuge Areas for motorists who get into trouble.
Controlled sections of motorway use technology to manage the flow of traffic during busy times.
Operators can vary the speed limit – with lit signs on overhead gantries – with the aim of reducing the frustrating stop-start driving conditions that often occur on normal roads.
They also activate warning signs – to alert you to traffic jams and hazards up ahead – and close lanes to allow emergency vehicles through.
Variable speed limits are enforced with automatic cameras – which run 24 hours a day, even when the limit is 70mph.
Smart motorways can also increase capacity of the road by opening up the hard shoulder at busy times.
These dynamic hard shoulder sections are operated by Highways England, a government-owned company.
It says congestion on the motorway and major road network in England costs an estimated £2billion every year, with 25 per cent of this resulting from incidents.
Where can you find smart motorways?
The first smart motorway scheme was used on the M42 motorway in 2006.
Because of its success, there are now more than 236 miles of smart motorways in England. Locations –
M1: J6A-J10, J23A-J24, J25-J28 and J31-J32
M6: J10A-J11A
M8: J7-8, J8-10 (Eastbound)
M9: J1-J1A (southbound)
M20: J5-J7
M25: J2-J3,J6-J7 (anti-clockwise),] J7-J23] and J27-J30
M40: J16-M42 J3A (northbound)
M42: J3-J3A (eastbound), J7-J9
M60: J8-J18
M62: J9-J10 (eastbound) and J28-J29
M73: J1-J2, J2-J2A (Southbound)
M74: J2A-J5
M90: M9 J1A-J2 and J2-J3 (southbound)
A90: Special road between the M90 in South Queensferry
A14: J22-J33
What happens on a smart motorway?
Highways England gives the following advice when driving on a smart motorway:
Never drive under a red “X”
Keep to the speed limit shown on the gantries
A solid white line indicates the hard shoulder – don’t drive in it unless directed
A broken white line indicates a normal running lane
Use the refuge areas for emergencies if there’s no hard shoulder
Put your hazard lights on if you break down
Are there more speed cameras on smart motorways?
Almost 240 miles of motorways in England now have variable limits to regulate traffic flows, including on parts of the M1, M4, M5, M6 and M25.
Smart motorways use overhead gantries to display the mandatory speed limit which direct traffic into open lanes and change speed limits depending on the volume of traffic.
Also mounted on gantries are speed cameras which catch drivers straying over the speed limit.
The AA estimates that a record 7,000 cameras are now installed on motorways, A-roads and in built-up areas.
Those who break it face a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence.
Are smart motorways dangerous?
In January, 2022, The Department of Transport announced that its smart motorway expansion would come to a halt amid safety concerns.
A Government enquiry found that at least 24 broken-down drivers or passengers have died on them since 2015.
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, confirmed that he would shelve plans for new projects until he had another five years of stats.
He said: “Initial data shows smart motorways are among our safest roads but it’s crucial we go further to ensure people feel safer using them.”
Committee chair Huw Merriman stressed: “It is important this extra time is spent on making these motorways safer — not just on evaluation.”
When are smart motorways being banned?
The UK government confirmed on April 15, 2023, that the construction of new smart motorways would be banned.
This is following concerns about safety and cost.
Fourteen motorways that were earmarked for public construction have been removed from government planning.
Existing smart motorways will remain, however they will be subject to a safety refit so that there are more emergency stopping places.
The government added that two stretches of smart motorway, at junctions six to eight of the M56 and junctions 21a to 26 of the M6 will be completed as planned, as these routes are over three quarters complete.