“We need to live up to our side of the bargain” says National Highways

Laura Baker, customer service director of the major projects division at National Highways, has provided insight into how the organisation will address fleet concerns including improvements to smart motorways and roadside facilities for HGV drivers.

At the most recent Fleet200 Strategy Network meeting at Company Car in Action 2022, held at UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground, Baker also discussed progress of the Roads Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2) and the objectives set by RIS3, including how the body is working to operate, maintain and improve the Strategic Road Network (SRN).

Baker was questioned on what improvements would be made to smart motorways – which National Highways has ceased building until 2025, or at least until it has reviewed the safety case, she said.

The organisation has conducted a review of smart motorways and has 72 improvements to make. To date, it has only made 26 of the improvements.

Baker said: “Smart motorways are all about a package of measures, it isn't just one thing.

"We are putting stopped vehicle detection on every smart motorway, we’re ensuring the facilities are right in our control room and that our traffic officers can get to people quicker, making sure that every part of the smart motorway is covered by cameras that work.”

National Highways is also building more emergency refuge areas – Baker said there will be one every three-quarters of a mile.