Grieving families of smart motorway victims have hailed the government’s decision to scrap further building plans after Rishi Sunak acknowledged serious concerns about safety.
A total of 14 planned smart motorways – including 11 that are already paused and three earmarked for construction – will be scrapped from Government road building plans in recognition of the lack of public trust.
For years widows and family members of victims have campaigned against the plans, accusing the government of ‘having blood on their hands’ and for not listening and taking necessary action despite repeated ‘terrible catastrophes’.
Campaigners have now welcomed the move, but demanded the Government now return the hard shoulder on all existing conversions.
Under current plans, existing stretches of smart motorways will instead be subjected to a safety refit to accommodate 150 more emergency stopping places.
