smart motorways

09/04/2020

The Department for Transport’s ‘stocktake’ of smart motorways was launched last October and originally due to take weeks. It was published in March this year and argued that smart motorways were a safety improvement – but a qualified one. An action plan has been launched to address concerns. However, Dominic Browne argues that questions remain.

23/03/2020

Highways England plans to launch a £32m tender for stopped vehicle detection (SVD) systems this April, as part of its programme of safety improvements to smart motorways.

12/03/2020

The much-anticipated smart motorway stocktake has been released by the Department for Transport, including an action plan on how to improve safety on the controversial roads.

31/01/2020

The roll-out of smart motorways has been put on hold due to safety concerns, transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced.

27/01/2020

The Government has told BBC's Panorama that 38 people have been killed on smart motorways over the last five years.

18/12/2019

Kier Highways has installed three large cantilever gantries on a smart motorway project over a nine-night period while the motorway remained open.

29/11/2019

More than two-thirds (68%) of drivers in England think removing the hard shoulder on all lane running smart motorways compromises safety for people who breakdown in a live lane, according to the RAC.

27/09/2019

Highways England has pledged a range of actions to help reassure road users of the safety of all lane running smart motorways after coming under pressure to step up its game on safety.

09/07/2019

A senior figure in the sector has called for more proactive asphalt protection planning in utilities works and smart motorway upgrades - warning that a lack of early investment could see cracks appear in motorways.

26/06/2019

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16/04/2019

The president of the AA has criticised Highways England for not acting quickly enough to improve safety on ‘smart motorway’ all lane running schemes, including shortening the distance between emergency refuge areas for broken-down vehicles.

04/04/2019

The days of the conventional motorway are over and its textbook is set for its last edition, Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan told Highways in an exclusive interview.

15/02/2019

Highways England has announced changes to the delivery of its a smart motorway programme, including delays to works on the M56 near Manchester Airport and the M6 between Warrington and Wigan, as well as wider technical changes.

16/12/2018

SMART Highways editor Paul Hutton has explained some of the technology behind all lane running smart motorways on a BBC Radio Five Live programme examining their safety.

16/08/2018

Highways England has announced plans to remove a 150-tonne section of concrete bridge across the M6 in one piece to make room for an all lane running smart motorway.

08/08/2018

WSP has been appointed by Highways England as the designer on two smart motorway contracts worth more than £2.6m.

06/08/2018

Highways England has announced that the upgrade of the M60 in Greater Manchester to a smart motorway is now complete.

12/07/2018

A £373m scheme to upgrade a 23-mile section of the M1 to an all lane running smart motorway is to start next month.

20/06/2018

Highways England is planning to adopt a full 10-year alliance model for its smart motorway programme, following a process of market engagement.

04/06/2018

Costain has won the M6 J21a-26 smart motorway contract from Highways England to work on the upgrade between the M62 and M58 junctions in north west England.