Investigation into safety of Smart Motorways needed says Dorset MP

Chris Loder says vital safety features were faulty from the get go.

Author: George SharpePublished 13th Jan 2022
Last updated 13th Jan 2022

Smart Motorway's vital safety features were faulty from the start, according to West Dorset MP Chris Loder.

He's part of the Transport Select Committee recommending the program be paused after deaths on several roads called safety into concern.

The government has committed to pausing the rollout of Smart Motorways until five years of safety data is available.

Smart Motorways were first launched in 2014 and reduce congestion by using the hard shoulder as a running lane. But Chris Loder says when they launched parts of the safety features weren't working.

He said:

"People have been losing their lives on these Smart Motorways and when we drilled into it we found some of the technology that should be working, isn't.

"That, I think, has been recognised and ultimately this work will go to ensure the better safety of motorists whilst travelling on those motorways."

The rollout of new smart motorway schemes will be paused until a full 5 years’ worth of safety data is available, as the Department for Transport (DfT) invests £900 million to improve safety on existing all lane running (ALR) motorways. An independent evaluation of the effectiveness of stopped vehicle detection technology has also been announced.

Chris Loder told Greatest Hits Radio he wants a regulator to be put in charge of the schemes. He said:

"Ultimately we wouldn't be seeing this situation today if a proper safety regulator was in place. It should not be acceptable that a new motorway is put into action supposedly having stopped vehicle detection technology in place, but that is not working. A regulator would have stopped that.

"The railways, for example, have a proper regulator. The Office for Rail or Road takes responsibility of the safety regulation and has the ability to enforce or prohibit certain things from taking place.

"It is my opinion that the ORR should have its powers extended so they can have proper safety regulatory responsibility for the road network."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.