MP Sarah Champion calls for end of ‘smart motorways’

‘An MP has called for smart motorways to be halted after a spate of deaths on the M1 close to her constituency.

Five people have died in 10 months on a 16 mile-stretch of the M1 in South Yorkshire operating “all lanes running” (ALR) – when there is no hard shoulder.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion said “it is totally unacceptable to risk lives in the name of cost savings”.

Transport minister George Freeman said a package of measures would be announced “imminently”.

Ms Champion asked the government to “take the opportunity of a recently announced review into smart motorways to change course and prevent further loss of life”.

She told a debate in Westminster: “The safety of motorists must always be paramount… it is totally unacceptable to risk lives in the name of cost savings.

“There is no evidence that shows me ALR can ever be delivered safely. I therefore strongly believe the government must stop the rollout with immediate effect.”

Read more: MP Sarah Champion calls for end of ‘smart motorways’

[renedade-banner]

https://youtu.be/_kfVUG4Spmk

https://youtu.be/RhPcFYkbzjw