Summary
Reports from National Highways indicate that many smart motorways in England are not providing the expected financial benefits, though they mostly meet safety goals. Of 16 projects, only three are delivering expected economic returns, while specific sections of the M25 and M6 provide poor value for money.
Key Facts
- Smart motorways use technology to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion.
- Two sections, one on the M25 and another on the M6, were found to provide poor financial value.
- Only three out of 16 smart motorway projects in England meet their expected financial benefits.
- Smart motorways often replace the hard shoulder with an additional traffic lane.
- The AA describes smart motorways as a "waste of time, money, and effort."
- National Highways claims smart motorways meet safety expectations, reducing collisions.
- Traffic growth on these motorways was lower than forecasted, affecting their value.
- Some projects failed to improve journey times as expected, particularly on the M25.
