McMahon demands Shapps ‘stops gambling with people’s lives’ and meets families campaigning on smart motorways

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon

Labour has urged the Transport Secretary to meet campaigning families as pressure builds on ministers to take action to prevent more deaths on smart motorways.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, held a virtual roundtable meeting with relatives of those who have lost their lives, as well as experts who want to see more done to make smart motorways safer, following the deaths of at least 38 people.

Labour demanded back in January that ministers take immediate steps to reinstate the hard shoulder on smart motorways while a full safety assessment was carried out, but the Government has so far failed to act.

Shapps promised to “report on the progress” of a stocktake which recommended 18 different measures “to ensure that smart motorways are not just as safe, but safer than conventional motorways”, but has not given any updates since.

Mr McMahon said: “I am so grateful to Claire, Niaz, Saima and Sally for meeting me to talk about the devastation they have faced and their campaigns and I would urge the Transport Secretary to meet them all too.

“He promised he would return to the Commons ‘soon’ to report on the progress of his safety review of smart motorways. 

"That was nearly six weeks ago and every day of inaction is gambling with people’s lives.

“We need to hear what progress has been made on the recommended safety measures as a matter of urgency. 

"In the meantime, the Government must do what Labour has asked and reinstate the hard shoulder, before yet another family is left grieving.”

Mr McMahon will write to the Transport Secretary again to ask him to meet campaigners and share up-to-date data on smart motorway fatalities. 

He has also vowed to write to the chair of the Transport Select Committee – which is conducting its own inquiry into smart motorways – to ensure families are given the opportunity to give evidence.

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