Sarah Champion MP Reacts to Revelations on Effectiveness of Smart Motorway Technology

Sarah Champion MP has reacted to an investigative report in the Daily Mail which calls into question the effectiveness of technology intended to keep motorists safe on smart motorways.

The report outlined a series of failures and issues with radar systems intended to identify stranded vehicles and allow the closure of running lanes.

Commenting, Sarah said:

“I have long maintained that ‘smart motorways’ are nothing of the sort. Serious safety concerns have been raised for many years and the devastating revelations in the Mail that the technology supposed to mitigate these concerns is wholly unfit for purpose are deeply alarming.’

‘That the Government has ordered an inquiry is welcome. But we have already seen a series of inquiries. The aim of each has seemingly been to allay public fears rather than to address the fundamental flaw in the whole ‘smart motorway’ project.’

‘The reality is that removing the hard shoulder is wholly unsafe. By continuing to pursue these projects, the Government is gambling with the lives of motorists.’

‘I hope this latest inquiry will be different, but I am not optimistic. Rather than engage in another long PR exercise, I the Government and National Highways should do what for years it has been clear that they needed to: abandon these dangerous schemes and restore the hard shoulder.’

‘Lives depend on it.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10031139/Tragic-toll-smart-motorways-rollout-shocking-failings-undercover-probe.html?fbclid=IwAR1VWrZXq-PiOhRTR8IRIpY6YcQED1qdxmNKrMRXfuRJPTIqKsytImc5hoI