Nearly 7 in 10 drivers want the hard shoulder reinstated on the so-called “smart motorways,” new research suggests.
Around 10 percent of England’s motorway network is made up of so-called smart motorways, which were developed to increase capacity without having to add extra traffic lanes.
They use technology to shut and slow lanes in response to accidents and breakdowns, freeing up the emergency hard-shoulder lane to be flexibly used for regular traffic when needed.
But concerns have been raised over the years following fatal incidents involving broken-down vehicles being hit from behind.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on April 15 that all plans for new smart motorways have been cancelled, citing financial pressures and safety concerns….