Not so smart

I expect many readers have travelled on the M27 at sometime or other. I shudder to think how many millions this motorway has cost over the past three years of transition into what they call a Smart Motorway

As an 80-year-old, I am probably past my 'sell by date', but sometimes, I do have a good idea. In fact, I could have changed the old M27 into a Smart Motorway overnight, with not one penny being spent.

The 'hard shoulder' lane has always been there. Call it number one lane, or inside lane now and you have four lanes straight away. Why all the three years of roadworks? The extra lane was always there.

Three weeks ago, I was travelling from Southampton to my home in Portchester on the motorway, when I was forced to stop at junction 7, West End. All three lanes were stationary. Obviously there was a problem, such as an accident, further up the road.

Two hours later after leaving Southampton, I reach home, a journey which normally takes 30 minutes.

Being retired, my hobby is the

I think my definition of the word 'smart', is different from that of the wizards at the Ministry of Transport ROGER CLEMONS

origin of words and sayings in the English language. I think my definition of the word 'smart', is different from that of the wizards at the Ministry of Transport.

However, there is a solution. Over the next three years, the number of car drivers will be reduced, due to soaring fuel prices and councils introducing taxes for cars entering their towns.

The average car driver will be priced off of the road. So, when that happens, reduce the M27 to a dual

carriageway, use the remaining two lanes as a cycle track for those drivers having to swap their cars for a bike.

Roger Clemons Leith Avenue, Portchester