M4 smart motorway emergency areas open

Roadworks to install the refuge areas on the M4 have been completed

New emergency areas for drivers on the M4 in Berkshire have been completed and opened for use.

A nationwide programme to install more than 150 additional refuge bays across the motorway network started in June 2023 as part of £900m of safety improvements on existing smart motorways.

Twelve new signs have also been put up between junction 10 for Wokingham and 12 for Theale to inform drivers of the distance to the next safe place to stop.

National Highways chief executive Nick Harris said: "All new emergency areas have now been installed, marking the end of this important safety scheme."

Smart motorways use technology to ease traffic flow, with some using the hard shoulder as an extra lane.

But the removal of the hard shoulder on some stretches led to safety concerns when drivers break down.

The government announced in 2023 it would stop building new smart motorways.

Mr Harris said: "Emergency areas provide drivers with more frequent opportunities to pull over should they break down or experience difficulties.

"The latest analysis continues to show that overall, smart motorways remain our safest roads."

Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister said: "We take road safety seriously, and that's why I'm pleased to see the installation of more than 150 additional emergency areas on smart motorways across the country, helping to keep people safe."

She explained the investment in new emergency areas, stopped vehicle detection technology, additional signs and more information would "help road users feel safe and be even safer on our roads".

"We've been clear we will not roll out any new smart motorways," she added.