Smart motorways are causing lengthier bottlenecks on the UK’s transport network, according to the AA.
The latest figures released from the DfT show that speeds are slowing and delays increasing on the country’s roads. The average delay, per vehicle, per mile, is now 11.6 seconds, when compared to free flowing traffic. This represents an increase of 5.5% over the last year. The average speed in London has slowed by nearly 4mph year on year, and by 10% since the Covid pandemic.
Other parts of the country show similar speeds – or lack of them.
The AA say that it is the onset of smart motorway schemes that is playing a large part in this slowdown. In place since 2006, smart motorways utilise the hard shoulder at certain times in order to reduce congestion. According to the AA drivers are avoiding the smart lanes because of concerns about running into stranded vehicles, and so contributing to greater traffic build-up.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said: “Drivers probably won’t be surprised to hear that their journey times have increased over the past year, especially on our motorways.”
“With numerous stretches of so-called ‘smart’ motorway now in regular use, rather than improving traffic flow it seems to have created more bottlenecks,” Cousens continued.
“There are several reports about these schemes which have not yet been released by the Department for Transport which would show what, if any, improvements drivers have experienced.
“With the vast majority of travel made by car, as well as goods and services using the road network, we need more national and local focus on ways to keep the wheels turning.”
