Smart motorways only a partial solution, Logistics UK tells MPs

Huw Merriman MP, the Committee Chair, introduced the meeting as the first into inquiry on the safety of smart motorways. Elizabeth de Jong, Director of Policy at Logistics UK, was questioned by MPs who sit on the committee, alongside representatives from the AA, RAC and West Midlands Police, as well as those ultimately responsible for the roll out – Highways England and the Department for Transport.

At the outset of the session, Merriman stated that its purpose was to discuss the case for and against reinstating the hard shoulder where it is not currently used, examining how safe smart motorways are and looking at the government’s stock take published in March and Highways England’s recently released one-year progress report.

When asked to give her opening statement, Elizabeth de Jong said: “Safety of course is of paramount importance to the logistics industry and our assessment of the safety of smart motorways is very much focused on the published statistical evidence. Overall, we agree that Highways England’s evidence aligns with government’s overall finding that most smart motorways are as safe as if not safer than conventional ones but not in every way.”

While broadly supporting the continued existence of smart motorways, she suggested that further measures are needed to address the accident rate. “Logistics UK supports the need for the dynamic hard shoulder to be removed replaced by all-lane running,” Elizabeth de Jong said, “We believe that that would remove a lot of confusion.”

She also argued for greater public awareness and education, along with an increased police presence to ensure the correct use of smart motorways: “We do appreciate that smart motorways have a role to play in increasing capacity, reducing congestion and leading to more reliable journey times.”

On congestion, Elizabeth de Jong said it is estimated that a typical city requires around 45,000 tonnes of freight to be delivered to it each day. Smart motorways help relieve congestion by increasing the utilisation of existing infrastructure. To reduce congestion in the long term, however, additional capacity is required.

“We clearly need different types of infrastructure investment away from smart motorways as well,” she said. “We need new capacity and other pinch points to be addressed. Our economy needs the smooth flowing of freight to function, so it is important.”  

The Committee will now take further evidence, including from the government and Highways England, before publishing the findings of the inquiry later this year.

*www.logistics.org.uk/road

Published On: 03/06/2021 17:00:53

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