What Are the New Smart Motorways and Why Are They Being Earmarked for Removal in the North West of England?

Smart motorways are sections of motorways in the United Kingdom that use traffic management techniques to increase capacity and reduce congestion in busier areas. These motorways rely on technology to manage traffic flow effectively, which means that the information being fed into the systems needs to be accurate and up-to-date. One of the key features of smart motorways is that they have the option to use the shoulder as a live lane to alleviate congestion during busy periods.

Smart motorways have been popping up all over the UK over the last decade, with significant sections of the M1, M4, and M6 currently being converted. The aim of these new motorways is to reduce congestion and increase capacity by reducing the number of dedicated lanes and introducing ‘dynamically controlled hard shoulder running’ in their place. This involves using the hard shoulder when traffic volumes are high, increasing capacity by up to 33%

Despite being hailed as a great innovation, smart motorways have come under fire for their safety record. In January 2020, Highways England reported a total of 38 fatalities in the five years up to 2018 on smart motorways, leading to growing concern over their safety . This concern has only grown in the past year, with campaigners and the public demanding the removal of these motorways, especially in the North West of England.

Why the North West?

The North West of England is one of the busiest areas in the UK, and the M6 Motorway, in particular, sees extremely heavy traffic. As part of the Government’s plan to improve the country’s road network, the M6 was earmarked for a smart motorway upgrade. However, the M6 has seen a worrying number of accidents and fatalities on its new section, and campaigners want it removed.

The M6 section under scrutiny runs between Birmingham and Manchester, and while it only stretches for around 60 miles, it has seen over 38 accidents since it was opened in 2017. This has led to the motorway being dubbed the ‘Death Road,’ with calls for it to be removed or at least reconfigured to make it safer for drivers. The section’s safety has been called into question due to the difficulty for drivers to navigate and the removal of the hard shoulder

What is Being Done?

The UK Government recently ordered a review of smart motorways to ensure that they are safe for drivers. The review is being led by Professor Alan Penn and will assess the safety of smart motorways and consider any changes that need to be made. The review is likely to focus on the safety of the no-hard-shoulder system used on smart motorways and consider whether it is appropriate to continue using it.

In the meantime, Highways England has responded to public concern and is taking action on a number of smart motorways, including the M6. In November 2020, they announced that they would reintroduce the use of hard shoulders as an option, reduce the distance between emergency refuge areas, and ensure that the sensors that monitor traffic levels are complete and reliable to prevent further accidents.

The plan also includes the provision of new features such as ‘stopped vehicle detection’ technology that will alert control centres when a vehicle has stopped unexpectedly in a live lane, allowing them to respond quickly and prevent it from becoming a hazard to other drivers. This technology is being hailed as a game-changer in making smart motorways safer and reducing fatalities.

In Conclusion

Smart motorways were created with the aim of reducing congestion and improving traffic flow. They have proven to be effective in many areas of the country but have come under fire due to growing safety concerns. The M6 in the North West of England has been particularly problematic, with high numbers of accidents and fatalities since its introduction in 2017.

The UK Government has ordered a review of smart motorways, and Highways England is taking action to address public concerns. New safety features are being introduced, including stopping vehicle detection technology, and the use of hard shoulders will be reintroduced in certain areas. The Government’s objective is to ensure that smart motorways are safe and effective in reducing congestion on busy UK road networks.

Despite these measures, it appears that the government is listening to the public concerns and criticisms of the smart motorways system, and it will be interesting to see what changes will be made in response to the safety review.