Recently, my family suffered a tragic loss when my older cousin was involved in a fatal accident at the M4 junction 8/9. This tragedy is not an isolated incident. It has become painfully evident that the smart motorways, designed to ease congestion, are, in fact, increasing the risk of accidents and fatalities. This is particularly true on the section of the M4 that has been modified into a smart motorway.

Smart motorways, which use catchily-named 'live lanes' that lack a hard shoulder, are meant to improve traffic flow. However, without the traditional hard shoulder for emergency stops, drivers are finding themselves trapped in dangerous situations. A BBC report from February 2023 revealed that more than 30 people have died on smart motorways in the last five years. This is unacceptable, and no family should endure the pain of losing a loved one due to a dangerous road system.

Furthermore, a study by the UK Department for Transport showed an increase in 'near misses' on roads without hard shoulders. The delay in emergency response times and the confusion caused by inconsistent signage only exacerbate the issue.

The M4 has always been a critical artery for commuters, locals, and businesses alike. We believe that reverting it back to a traditional motorway, with a permanent hard shoulder, is vital to ensuring the safety of all road users. Other countries, such as the Netherlands, have suspended the roll-out of similar systems after safety concerns, proving alternative, safer configurations are possible.

We call on the Department for Transport and Highways England to prioritize human life over congestion relief. By restoring the M4 to its original motorway status, with clearly defined hard shoulders, we can prevent further tragedies and ensure everyone reaches their destinations safely.

We need your support to bring about this change and salvage the peace of mind of every driver and pedestrian who uses the M4. Sign this petition to demand an immediate review and reversion of the M4 back to a normal, safer motorway. Together, let's make our roads safer for everyone.