Smart Motorways

Lord Moylan Excerpts

Wednesday 11th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

My noble friend raises an interesting point, but I have to go back to the fact that 793 people were killed or seriously injured on the motorways in 2023, compared with 1,120 on A-roads. Making sure that we consider carefully how we can improve driver safety, whether that means looking at young people or at older people—we know that eye tests are being proposed—is fundamental. I go back to the point that we are prepared to tolerate a level of death and injury on our roads that is, frankly, unacceptable. If such accidents and injuries happened on any other part of the transport network, there would be outrage. It is down to all of us to take very seriously, and not to be overcritical of, the attempts to change safety on our roads.

[Lord Moylan (Con)]

My Lords, when you come off the motorways, you quickly notice the rapidly deteriorating condition of many of our rural roads, which are becoming a threat and a safety risk in themselves. The Government have pledged to fix 1 million more potholes a year. Can the Minister update us on what progress is being made towards meeting that target?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The noble Lord will be aware that we do not hold that level of detail on potholes, but what I can say is that this Government have made the biggest commitment of financial support to local authorities, so they can assess priority need and get on and repair the roads in their areas, which will contribute to the safety and well-being of all road users.