AQW 13069/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 20/01/2021
Answered On Date: 01/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, in light of the deaths caused on smart motorways in Great Britain and concerns expressed by Sheffield coroner David Urpeth that smart motorways present an ongoing risk of future deaths, to detail the rationale for including M1 All Lanes Smart Motorway as part of funding bids.

Answer:

My Department is aware of the safety concerns associated with All Lane Running and Dynamic Hard Shoulder SMART motorways. My officials have carried out a preliminary assessment of the suitability of All Lane Running schemes on our M1 and M2 motorways and I can confirm there are no plans to progress these at this time. In the meantime my officials will continue to closely monitor the debate on SMART Motorway safety.