MPs urge government not to ignore safety concerns of ‘all lane running’

The Transport Select Committee has urged the government not to ignore safety concerns regarding ‘all lane running’, where the hard shoulder is converted into a running lane.

The Committee warned the government not to proceed with the plans, citing major safety concerns in a June 2016 report, but ministers appear set to press ahead none the less.

In light of the this, the Committee has once again spoken out against the plans to stress the potential safety implications.

Louise Ellman, chair of the Transport Committee, commented: “The Department for Transport is blatantly ignoring the safety concerns set out in our report. We had barely received the response to our report before the government endorsed an all lane running scheme on the M4.

“The Committee isn't arguing with the government about the need for more capacity on our motorways, or their statement that motorways are our safest roads. We support smart motorways such as the M42 scheme.

“But we take real issue with the government's assertion that all lane running schemes on motorways are no different to other types of roads without hard shoulders. Motorways are a different class of road and drivers have different expectations when using them.”

She added: “We are not the only people who are worried about this incarnation of All lane running schemes. In the course of our inquiry, there were genuine concerns raised by the emergency services, road workers and recovery operators. The Government cannot ignore them."