These are among key findings from a poll of drivers by road safety group IAM RoadSmart, which urges the Government to make “clear decisions soon” on the future of the schemes which see hard shoulder converted for permanent use by vehicles.

This comes after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said recently that work is under way to assess a Highways England report on progress to implement last year’s smart motorways ‘stocktake’ – which included pledges to improve safety – and establish next steps.

The IAM RoadSmart poll also found overwhelming support for reinstating hard shoulders on smart motorways while 40% of drivers reported no noticeable improvement to journey times.

“We would urge the Department for Transport and Highways England to listen to what smart motorway users are saying and to consider our findings, along with other in depth research, to determine the best approach to developing the smart motorway network,” said the group’s director of policy and research Neil Greig.

“Alongside more education for drivers, we want to see strong leadership with clear decisions taken soon on whether the programme should be reversed, or provided with the appropriate funding that will speed up delivery of the promised refuges, CCTV and vehicle detection technology.”

The poll follows recent calls including from motoring group the AA for a pause on new smart motorway construction until the Government’s review concludes.

A Highways England spokesman said: “We recognise there are ongoing concerns about smart motorways and are determined to do all we can to make all drivers both feel safe and be safer on our roads.

“Our motorways are among the safest in the world, and the Government’s evidence stocktake established that in most ways smart motorways are at least as safe as, or safer than, the conventional motorways they replaced. But not in every way.

“So we are taking forward the measures the Transport Secretary has set out in his 18 point smart motorways action plan which includes providing more and better information for drivers, with our current £5M TV and radio campaign and planned updates being made to The Highway Code.”

Meanwhile, a call for evidence to the Transport Select Committee’s inquiry into smart motorway safety and benefits closed on Friday.

CIHT has submitted evidence to the inquiry stating that several factors would give users greater confidence while driving on smart motorways.

These include the further roll out of safety technology and appropriate spacing of emergency refuges as well as clear, accurate communication with drivers and guidance to improve understanding on how to use smart motorways.

(Photograph: Highways England)