A Conservative MP is calling on the Chancellor to fund a driverless vehicle trial in Hampshire.Southampton Itchen member Royston Smith has written a letter calling for the roads in and around Southampton to be used, arguing, "the introduction of autonomous vehicles could increase capacity on our road network while cutting down on the amount of accidents and improving air quality, a particular problem in Southampton.
"I know four English areas have been selected for trials however I would be grateful if you would consider other strategic road networks such as Southampton and the South Hampshire region as an ideal area to pilot the use of driverless cars."
He's told the Southern Daily Echo, "if you don't ask you don't get, and I think it would be good for Southampton because there would be investment of sorts and the city would be put on the map."They are going to make our roads safer and put more capacity on them."It's expected that investment in, and support for, driverless vehicle trials will be a key policy announcement in tomorrow's Queen's Speech.(Picture, the GATEway project vehicle in Greenwich)