All new smart motorways have now been scrapped by the Government due to “financial pressures” and “a lack of public confidence”.
After a number of concerns have been raised by motorists, campaigners, and MPs around the safety of smart motorways over the past couple of years, which eventually led to the rollout being suspended by the Department for Transport (DfT) back at the start of 2022, it has today been announced that all new smart motorways schemes are to be removed from the Government‘s road-building plans.
This includes the 11 schemes already paused from the second Road Investment Strategy, which were due to be completed in 2025, and the three earmarked for construction in the third round of the Strategy set for completion in 2023.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Mark Harper have cited a number of “financial” pressures and “the current lack of public confidence felt by drivers” as the reasoning behind why the new smart motorways have been scrapped.
🆕 Plans for new smart motorways have been cancelled, recognising the lack of public confidence felt by drivers
Existing smart motorways will benefit from £900m safety improvements
This is because, according to the Government, initial estimations have suggested that constructing future smart motorway schemes would have cost more than £1 billion.
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Cancelling these schemes will apparently allow “more time to track public confidence in smart motorways over a longer period”.
While no new stretches of road will be converted into smart motorways, it has been confirmed by the DfT today, however, that the M56 between J6-8 and M6 J21a-26 will still be completed, as construction is currently already over 75% complete.
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Government scraps all new smart motorways over ‘lack of public confidence’ / Credit: Flickr
The Government says it’s also investing £900 million and is continuing to work with National Highways on “further safety improvements” on existing smart motorways – which includes progressing plans on installing 150 extra emergency areas across the network “in line with the commitments made in response to the Transport Select Committee”.
It also includes improving stopped vehicle detection technology on every all lane running smart motorway across the UK.
“We want the public to know that this government is listening to their concerns,” said Transport Secretary Mark Harper.
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“Today’s announcement means no new smart motorways will be built, recognising the lack of public confidence felt by drivers and the cost pressures due to inflation.”
The Department for Transport (DfT) has also cited “financial pressures” / Credit: Flickr
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he believes that all drivers “deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country.”
“Many people across the country rely on driving to get to work, to take their children to school, and go about their daily lives,” he explained.
“I want them to be able to do so with full confidence that the roads they drive on are safe.”
Featured Image – RAC
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No trams to run on three major Greater Manchester lines this Easter bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
People are being urged to ‘plan ahead’ as no trams are set to run on three major Greater Manchester Metrolink lines this weekend.
As part of a continuing £150 million investment in the Metrolink network across the region, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced that more than 1km of track will be replaced on the Altrincham line, and work will also take place between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield to prepare for full track replacement later in the year.
As a result, there will be no trams on the Altrincham, Eccles, and Trafford Park lines this Easter bank holiday weekend all day from Friday 3 to Monday 6 April.
On top of these line closures, there is also set to be disruption across other parts of the network too, as on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines, trams will run to Firswood only, and services on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square.
To keep people moving over the four-day weekend, replacement buses will run between all the affected stops, TfGM has confirmed.
Anyone using a replacement bus, however, will still need a valid Metrolink ticket or a one-day Bee bus ticket to travel, and customers will be able to use all existing options to buy these, as they will not be able to buy a ticket or pay for the fare on the replacement buses themselves.
No trams will be running on three major Greater Manchester lines this Easter bank holiday weekend / Credit: TfGM
Replacement buses are said to be calling at ‘all affected stops’ along the lines, so customers are being told not to worry about that.
Speaking ahead of the improvement works being carried out this weekend, Ian Davies, who is the Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, said: “The first main upgrades of the year get under way over the Easter weekend, as our £150m programme to improve our network continues.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to minimise disruption to passengers while we carry out this essential work to ensure our tram network remains reliable, resilient and safe for years to come.”
TfGM has assured that staff will be out and on-hand across the network this weekend, but is urging anyone travelling to plan for their journeys ahead of time to make sure they go as smoothly as possible.
Looking ahead to the rest of the month, no trams will run between Piccadilly Gardens and Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April while the track is repaired, and a further weekend closure for track repairs on the Ashton line will take place on Saturday 25 April and Sunday 26 April.
Find out more and plan ahead on the Bee Network’s dedicated webpage here.
Featured Image – Janus Boye
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Three men arrested after ‘shocking’ Salford pub fight leaves victim in life-threatening condition
Emily Sergeant
Three men have been arrested as police continue to appeal following a ‘shocking’ incident in Salford over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at around 2:51am yesterday (Sunday 29 March), officers were called to reports of an assault at a pub on Liverpool Road in Irlam, where it’s understood that an incident involving several males took place.
Police quickly attended the scene, and one male was rushed to hospital.
The man sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment, where he’s said to remain in a life-threatening condition.
While officers are working ‘at speed’ on their investigation to establish the full circumstances of this incident, a scene is currently in place, and road closures are affecting the immediate area.
At this time, it has been confirmed that three men – all in their 20s – have been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault, and they remain in custody for further questioning while GMP renews its public appeal for information.
“This is a shocking incident and our thoughts are firmly with the victim and his family during this extremely difficult time,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Helen Bagnall, from GMP’s Salford district. “We are working at pace and remain absolutely committed to identifying everyone involved and bringing those responsible to justice.
“Three arrests have been made in connection with this incident, and we are continuing to appeal for further information.
“Officers remain committed to understand the full circumstances and are urging anyone with information to come forward to support our investigation.”
Can you help? A dedicated online Major Incident Public Portal has been set up, and information, CCTV, dashcam, doorbell, and phone images and footage can be submitted here, or you can also contact police on 101, quoting log 256 of 29/03/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
17th April 2023 
