Motorway fibre-optic cables to beam live traffic news to cars

FIBRE-OPTIC cables running along the centre of Britain’s busiest motorways will be able to beam live traffic updates into hi-tech cars under new plans by Highways England.

Messages will be transmitted on to dashboards to improve the efficiency of how major routes operate, with the intention of also improving road safety.

So-called “connected vehicles” will be programmed to spot potholes and transmit information to road operators.

The development is the latest step in upgrading major roads into “smart” motorways.

The way messages are displayed is another step away from using traditional road signs.

The report, released today by Highways England, will be used to inform the Government’s next road investment strategy, due to start in 2020.