Sir Mike said:
“I welcome this statement and the commitment and seriousness the
Secretary of State for Transport has brought to this issue. It is
good the Department of Transport have gone away and looked at the
evidence, clearly having listened to the concerns raised over
smart motorways by motorists, recovery operators, and, most
importantly, of grieving families.
“I have been clear never to call for the abolition of smart
motorways. I have always believed, including when I first signed
off on these designs as Roads Minister, that if they could be
implemented in a way that is safe and reduced congestion, then
they would be a welcome addition to the Strategic Road Network.
To that end, it is the right approach to seek safety improvements
rather than the complete – and costly – abolition of smart
motorways.
“I am concerned, however, by some of the language used in
announcement today. When the Department for Transport claim they
will look to reduce emergency refuge area spacing to three
quarters of a mile ‘where feasible’, what does this actually
entail? And what do the Department mean when claim to be
‘considering’ a programme to introduce more laybys? The
Department ‘aims’ to reduce average accident attendance time from
17 minutes to 10 minutes, but what measures are being put in
place to achieve this?
“The proof of all of this will be in the whether they are able to
meet these targets. And I will continue to hold the Government’s
feet to the fire on this issue.
“In the meantime, the Government must also commit to not opening
any new smart motorways which do not have the safety measures
outlined today in place. Clarity from the Secretary of State on
this point would be welcome.”
