South East Roads to Get 52 New Emergency Refuge Areas
Motorists on smart motorways in the South East will soon have 52 brand-new emergency stop areas. These spots are designed to boost safety by providing vital refuge points where there are no permanent hard shoulders.
M25 to Lead With 24 Emergency Areas
The M25, London’s busy orbital motorway, will see 24 of these orange-painted, 100-metre-long emergency zones installed across Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire, and Essex. Other smart motorways including the M20, M27, M4, and M3 will also benefit from the new safety features.
Each emergency area will be fitted with an emergency telephone to help stranded drivers call for help quickly and safely.
Government Pumps £900 Million into Smart Motorway Safety
Felicity Clayton from National Highways said: “We have listened to drivers’ concerns about having more places to stop in an emergency on motorways which don’t have a permanent hard shoulder.”
This installation is part of a wider £900 million government scheme aiming to improve safety across smart motorways. The plan includes putting in 150 emergency areas network-wide and giving clear guidance to drivers to restore confidence in these roads.
Roadworks and Restrictions to Come
- 9 emergency areas planned between Junctions 5 and 7 on the M25
- 15 areas between Junctions 23 and 27 on the M25
- 10 new stops on the M3 from Junction 2 to 4A
- 12 areas on the M4 between Junctions 10 and 12
- 4 on the M20 between Junctions 3 and 5
- 2 new stops on the M27 between Junctions 4 and 11
National Highways warned lane closures and 50mph speed limits will be in place during work, coordinated alongside other major M25 upgrades near Surrey and Essex junctions.
Drivers should prepare for delays, but these upgrades promise safer journeys on some of the country’s busiest roads.
