đź•’ Article read time: 2 minutes
Capacity concerns amid smart motorway scrapping need to be addressed, urges Logistics UK
Following the Prime Minister’s summer campaign pledge, plans for new smart motorways have been cancelled across the country, including those paused pending a safety review and those earmarked for construction during the third Road Investment Strategy (2025 to 2030).
The move has been made in recognition of safety concerns raised about the motorways, with Rishi Sunak saying: “Many people across the country rely on driving to get to work, to take their children to school and go about their daily lives and I want them to be able to do so with full confidence that the roads they drive on are safe.”
Such measures have been welcomed in the national press, but from a logistical point of view, concerns remain over the requirement to add much needed capacity to the UK’s strategic road network.
“We appreciate the government has listened to well-voiced public concerns regarding smart motorways,” said Jonathan Walker, Head of Cities and Infrastructure at Logistics UK. “Safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance. However, in light of this cancellation our members need to know where additional road capacity to ensure the smooth running of the country will be delivered, now and in the future.”
With this in mind, Logistics UK is pressing government to provide solutions so this need can be addressed and the topic will be raised as a key agenda item in the Freight Councils meeting in May.
While no new stretches of road will be converted into smart motorways, the M56 J6-8 and M6 J21a-26 will be completed given they are already over three quarters constructed.
Published On: 27/04/2023 16:00:00
Comments Section
If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.
In brief
M42 junction 6 improvement scheme update
National Highways is now planning to demolish the old Solihull Road bridge in May to enable work on the new A4545 link road between Clock Interchange and new M42 junction 5a. Hence, the M42 will be fully closed in both directions between junction 5 and junction 6 from 22:00 on Friday 5 May to 05:00 on Monday 8 May 2023.
Latest articles
Generation Logistics Case Study
Niall Delargy, Senior Marketing Executive – Motia.
Read time: 2 minutes
View article
Member notice: Do you need to apply for an IVA for your vans and light goods vehicles? Â
Apply for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) if you're making or importing a very small number of vans or light goods vehicles (also known as IVA 1LG).Â
Read time: 2 minutes
View article
Thames’ biggest port launches new commercial vehicle charging hub Â
Fleete has unveiled its first major project in the UK with the development of a dedicated commercial vehicle rapid electric charging hub, believed to be the largest in the country. Â
Read time: 3 minutes
View article