SMART motorway plans for the M3 between Winchester and the M27 have been scrapped by the government. 

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced that plans for smart motorways, including between junctions 9 and 14 of the M3, have been thrown out. 

The decision comes after the government paused the expansion of motorways where the hard shoulder is used as a permanent live traffic lane in January 2022.

According to the National Highways website, the works cost £139m.

Winchester MP Steve Brine said: “This is the right decision and one we have been arguing for. The review has, to some extent, complicated matters around Junction 9 which can now proceed without this in play. The question I will be asking now in Parliament is, if new smart motorways are not safe, why are they staying in place for the M27 or even for the M3 south of Winchester where the hard shoulder is temporarily missing while the central reservation works take place.”

Hampshire County Councillor Nick Adams-King said: "From a personal perspective I welcome the removal of smart motorways, although this creates a challenge in terms of accommodating the ever increasing amount of traffic on our roads.  I recognise the real concern of people using the roads and we should only be providing highways which people feel confident to use.

"I very much hope that the improvements to the M3 and most particularly J9 at Winnall will continue, taking into account the need now to provide a different design for the motorway portions. These works are vital for the Winchester area and Hampshire in general and I am already lobbying to ensure that they proceed at pace.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "All drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country.

"That’s why last year I pledged to stop the building of all new smart motorways, and today I’m making good on that promise.

"Many people across the country rely on driving to get to work, to take their children to school and go about their daily lives and I want them to be able to do so with full confidence that the roads they drive on are safe."

Transport secretary Mark Harper said: "We want the public to know that this government is listening to their concerns.

"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."

 

In total, fourteen planned schemes will be axed which is said to be due to financial pressures and in recognition of the lack of public trust.

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak bans new smart motorways

But though new smart motorways have been stopped, existing ones such as on the M3 between Junctions 2 and 4a and on the M27 between Junctions 11 and 4 are set to remain. 

The remaining stretches are now set to be subjected to a safety refit so there are 150 more emergency stopping places across the network.

The Prime Minister said: “All drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country."