We need to abolish smart M-ways now

AS a result of an unfortunate encounter with a pothole on the A46 on Christmas Eve, that resulted in a burst tyre on my offside rear wheel, I received some first hand experience of breaking down on an extremely busy road with no hard shoulder.

Fortunately for us, two Warwickshire police cars came to our rescue by forming a roadblock on the inside lane, changing my wheel and escorting us to a safe point from where I was able to arrange to replace the ruined tyre, before continuing our journey to spend Christmas with family In Buckinghamshire. Belated thanks for saving our Christmas.

One thing this whole experience highlighted though is something that many people have felt about the safety of so-called ‘Smart’ motorways.

These roads have no hard shoulder meaning that any vehicle breaking down remains in an active lane of the motorway, directly in the path of lorries, cars etc travelling at up to 70 mph.

Having experienced how this feels, albeit only on the A46, I must say that, despite the police advice being to get out of the vehicle and over the safety barrier as quickly as possible, just exiting the vehicle, particularly from the driver’s side, can be very hazardous, on top of which, the car still sits directly in the path of any oncoming vehicles.

I understand that there is soon to be a review of the whole concept of ‘Smart motorways’ and, given their inherent danger, the quicker they are abolished the better.

Mike Kennedy, Stoke Hill