Smart Motorways: RHA supports the review - we can do better

Policy lead on infrastructure, Tom Cornwell, outlines how the RHA has called for a change in the way in which Smart Motorways work to make them safer and easier to use.

Our members use the UK’s Smart Motorways every day, and support the view that improvements are necessary.

We welcome the acknowledgment of this by National Highways, and the review announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

Road safety is at the heart of everything we do and we hope that the review period is used to improve safety and awareness on Smart Motorways.

Road users need to be aware of how to use Smart Motorways and how to stay safe on them. They should be a ‘best in class’ road and the review will ensure we do better.

Suggestions

In advance of the review, we’re making a number of suggestions for improved infrastructure and operating practices.

This includes a single standard for infrastructure and operating system for all with auto detection and rapid response.

We’re calling for larger, more visible and more frequent refuge areas to give more confidence to motorists.

We should consider restoration of hard shoulder at night during set-times on all roads and in poor weather – supported by repeater red X signs over the inside lane to make closed hard shoulder more visible.

• Impacted by Smart Motorways or have a view on the review? Contact Tom here by email or on Twitter.