The Member of Parliament for the City of Lincoln, Karl McCartney JP MP, has echoed the warnings of the influential Transport Select Committee, on which he sits, to warn the Government not to proceed with 'all lane running' schemes while major safety concerns exist.
In 'all lane running', the latest version of smart motorways, the hard shoulder is used as a live lane of traffic. Previous schemes have only used the hard shoulder at peak times or to deal with congestion.
In the Report, published on 9 December 2016, the Committee restated its view that the Government should halt the rollout of 'all lane running' and that the permanent loss of the hard shoulder in such schemes was a radical change and an unacceptable price to pay for improvements.
Karl McCartney JP MP, Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, said: “Although several 'all lane running' motorway schemes are already in operation either as part of a managed motorway or with the hard shoulder used as a full-time running lane, it is concerning to me as a keen motorist and Transport Select Committee Member - and also to our breakdown and emergency services, as well as the public at large - that the use of ‘all lane running’ looks set to expand.
“The Government have failed address our Committee’s concerns in relation to scarcity, size and misuse of emergency refuge areas, driver education and enforcement and should halt the rollout of 'all lane running'.
“Yes, it is also a concern that the strategic road network is expected to increase by up to 60% by 2040, but the permanent loss of the hard shoulder in all lane running schemes, and the inherent safety risks in doing so, is an unacceptable price to pay for such improvements, particularly while major safety issues exist.
“I, once again, call on the Government to go back to the drawing board and think again.”
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For further information, please contact Karl McCartney JP MP at [email protected] / 020 7219 7221.