M62 Junction 20-25 Smart Motorway (Cancelled)
West Yorkshire, UK · Proposed (c. 2019-2023); Cancelled April 2023 · £283 million (estimated cost before cancellation)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project was part of a wider government decision in April 2023 to cancel all new smart motorway schemes due to safety concerns and rising costs. - This cancellation highlights a significant shift in government policy regarding smart motorways and their future implementation. - The decision was influenced by ongoing public and parliamentary scrutiny over the safety record of all-lane running smart motorways. - The estimated cost of £283 million was a factor in the cancellation, alongside safety concerns.
Key engineering challenges
Addressing congestion and improving journey times on a busy section of the M62. - Integrating smart motorway technology within the existing infrastructure. - Managing public and political concerns regarding the safety of smart motorways.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- National Highways (formerly Highways England)
- Lead contractor
- N/A (main construction not started)
- Lead designers
- N/A (design stages were ongoing)
- Project type
- upgrade (cancelled)
- Scale
- Proposed 19-mile (30.6 km) upgrade to all-lane running smart motorway.
- Disciplines
- civil; intelligent transport systems; environmental
- Standards & frameworks
- DMRB; CDM Regulations (intended); Smart Motorway All-Lane Running standards (intended)
Sources: GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/plans-for-new-smart-motorways-cancelled) - New Civil Engineer (https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/national-highways-sets-new-deadline-for-smart-motorway-safety-improvements-03-02-2023/) - BBC News (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65288852)