Recent analysis by the AA of post opening project evaluation (POPE) reports published by National Highways suggests that smart motorways are missing both safety and financial targets.

The POPE reports assess how the 16 smart motorways scheme upgrades that were delivered between 2013 and 2019 are performing and whether they are on track to meet the anticipated safety, environmental, financial and journey time targets over the next 60 years.

Safety

Whilst Highways understands that at the current five-year stage, all but one upgrade is meeting or exceeding its safety objectives, the AA stated that two schemes show a worsening safety record. The M3 all lane running (ALR) section between junctions 2 and 4a has seen the number of those killed or seriously injured increase by roughly one third, with the M1 stretch of ALR between junctions 39 and 42 also showing an increase in the number of collisions that led to people being killed or seriously injured (KSI).

However, the AA did concede that the M25 ALR section between junctions 23 and 27 saw a reduction in KSIs, but pointed out that other controlled motorway sections (M25 16-23 and M25 27-30) saw a greater reduction in KSIs after being widened, retaining their hard shoulders and seeing safety technology installed.  

Value for money

Projections made over a decade ago were used to assess the value for money delivered by the smart motorway schemes, which looked at the number of drivers who would benefit from the upgrades over 60 years.

The AA highlighted both the M25 ALR section between junctions 23 and 27 and the M6 dynamic hard shoulder (DHS) section between junctions 5 and 8 have been rated ‘very poor' for value for money, but National Highways does note that these ratings are based on projections made 10 years ago and cover a period of time that included reduced journeys due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which it suggests means that these financial ratings should be treated with caution.

However, out of the 16 total schemes covered by the reports, only three schemes at the end of the five-year evaluation period were rated as ‘on track' by National Highways for value for money; the M6 between junctions 10a and 13, which incorporates both a Controlled Motorway which retains a permanent hard shoulder, and the M3 ALR section between junctions 2 and 4a, which is ‘on track' due faster journey times.

According to the AA's analysis, the only scheme to 'exceed expectations' is the Controlled Motorway on the M25 between junctions 16 and 23, which saw faster journey times and an improved safety record.

Delays

Another concern raised by the AA was the delay in the publication of these reports. Whilst many of the schemes underwent evaluation between 2017 and 2019, many of the reports are dated September 2023.

Edmund King, AA president, said: 'Motorways which have been widened, the hard shoulder kept, and safety technology added have proved the most successful. We have been calling for this standard for so long and urge any government that looks to improve motorways to use this style as the blueprint.

‘While no new "smart" motorway schemes will be built, driver confidence using these schemes remains low. Just under half of drivers feeling anxious or nervous using them, a sentiment which has doubled in the last 12 months. We need the return of the hard shoulder to help give confidence to drivers, both now and in the future.'

RAC head of policy, Simon Williams, also commented: ‘The hard shoulder is by no means a safe location, but in the event of a breakdown, it's far safer than being stranded in a live lane of traffic waiting for the "red X closed lane" sign to be turned on and then hoping drivers do the right thing and move into another lane.

‘These roads are deeply unpopular and only the reinstatement of the hard shoulder is going to cut it with drivers. The existing technology, such as variable speed limits, could still be used to potentially ease traffic flows at busy times.'

A National Highways spokesperson said: ‘Our latest analysis continues to show that overall, smart motorways remain our safest roads. They are also providing much needed extra capacity for drivers, helping to reduce congestion and lower carbon emissions.'

National Highways also notes that it has taken further actions to improve the safety of smart motorways. This includes the installation of upgraded technology, 150 additional emergency areas, over 700 additional signs informing drivers of the distance to the next safe stop and shorter response times to live lane breakdowns, which was carried out by the SMP Alliance and won the team the Special Merit Award at the 2025 Highways Awards.

The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.