🕒 Article read time: 4 minutes
FTA members support extra safety measures for smart motorways
FTA has said that its members wholeheartedly support extra security provisions for smart motorways, which were detailed in a recent government report.
The report broadly found smart motorways to be safe but in need of improvement and FTA has given its full backing to measures which it has long been urging government to deliver.
Chris Yarsley, Policy Manager for Road Infrastructure at FTA, said: “By improving the safety of these roads, the UK can benefit from a more effective and efficient road network; as such, we are pleased to see their use will continue.
“After discussions with FTA’s Road Freight Council, members were unanimous in a call for a significant increase in public awareness and education on safe use of the smart motorway network; many drivers find the inconsistent road formats confusing. As such, we are pleased to see the government has committed £5 million to fund public awareness campaigns. Our members called for an increase in the number of refuge areas and the roll-out of the stopped vehicle detection system and we are pleased government has listened to them and responded positively.
“FTA’s members do find smart motorways to be effective in producing more reliable journey times, but safety must always come first; we are pleased to see the government will, through commitments made in the report, provide the logistics industry with the reassurances it seeks.”
Yarsley continued: “However, FTA is urging the government to view smart motorways as only a temporary solution to the lack of capacity on the UK’s roads; they should not be used as a permanent replacement for the construction of new roads and improvement of existing infrastructure. After all, businesses rely on effective and efficient road networks to keep goods moving across the UK; our members want to see a nationwide programme of road infrastructure upgrades, rather than these shortterm solutions.
“Under the new plans, we hope to see the dynamic lanes – which are due to be removed – replaced with all lane running, so we can continue to benefit from the additional infrastructure the lanes have provided.”
★www.fta.co.uk/infrastructure
Published On: 01/04/2020 10:01:10
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