Steve Brine MP has pressed the Government for certainty on the future of smart motorways and the knock-on effect for key works on the M3 at Junction 9.
Speaking during a session of Business Questions with the new Leader of House of Commons and Hampshire MP, Penny Mordaunt, Mr Brine questioned the possible plans saying; “It has been held up while we make new plans in preparation for the new junction to connect with smart motorways.
“The new Prime Minister has been very clear about her opinion of the future of Smart Motorways, that they will not be proceeded with, so should National Highways now proceed with Junction 9 excluding an all-running motorway plan.”
It was announced in January of this year that Smart Motorways would be suspended by the then Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, until 5 years' worth of safety data is available.
The Leader of the House of Commons responded to the Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP saying; “ He will know that the Department for Transport has been reviewing how this work has been progressing.
“I think it is right that we look at the genuine concerns that have been raised about this new technology, but the Department of Transport will continue its plan as has been outlined, but I will certainly raise this matter on his behalf with the new Secretary of State because clearly his constituents and his local businesses wants some certainty in terms of timeframes.”
The M3 J9 Improvement Plan was due to be sent to the planning inspector in April of this year, with construction hallmarked for early 2024 and completion by December 2026.
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