Smart motorways are failing to deliver the financial benefits promised when the controversial schemes were rolled out across the UK, according to a damning internal National Highways report.
The findings, highlighted by the RAC, deal another blow to the already embattled smart motorway programme, which has faced fierce criticism over safety concerns and was effectively shelved by the Government in April 2023.
Smart motorways use technology to manage traffic flow by converting hard shoulders into live lanes or varying speed limits. They were sold to the public as a cost-effective way to boost road capacity without expensive conventional widening, promising economic benefits through improved journey times and reduced delays for businesses and commuters.
But National Highways' own internal assessment appears to contradict these initial projections, raising serious questions about value for money in one of the country's most contentious infrastructure programmes.
The revelation adds fresh ammunition to critics who have long questioned the wisdom of smart motorways. Safety campaigners and MPs have consistently warned about the dangers of All Lane Running sections, where the permanent hard shoulder is removed, leaving drivers vulnerable when vehicles break down in live traffic.
The Government paused all new smart motorway construction in April 2023, citing the need for more safety data and public confidence. The halt was designed to allow for a comprehensive review and improvements, including more refuge areas and better detection systems for stranded vehicles.
The financial failings revealed in the National Highways report carry significant implications for future infrastructure spending. With the UK grappling with economic pressures, the failure of a major transport project to deliver promised returns could force a fundamental rethink of investment priorities and road network strategy.
For drivers and taxpayers, the findings underscore mounting concerns about whether public money is being well spent on transport projects. Beyond the safety debate, the financial underperformance raises fundamental questions about whether smart motorways represent value for money or whether funds would be better directed towards alternative solutions for tackling congestion.
Source: RAC