Northants police chief speaks out against smart motorways

The chief constable of Northamptonshire has said he would not like to see smart motorways introduced in our county.

Smart motorways are currently under urgent review by the government after a BBC Panorama investigation uncovered a huge rise in near-misses following the introduction of the controversial road, which allow use of all the lanes at peak times to increase capacity but sometimes leave broken-down motorists in live lanes.

Speaking to journalism and policing degree students at the University of Northampton, and filmed by UoN News, Chief Constable Nick Adderley said that he believed there were different ways to keep the traffic moving.

He said: "I wouldn't want to see smart motorways.

"This county is the fastest growing in terms of population and it will continue to be. We've got to find a different way of keeping the traffic moving but I don't think smart motorways are the answer.

"Nearly 50 people have been killed in roads in this county alone this year and that's a statistic that does not sit well with me.

"I'm not a fan of smart motorways."

During yesterday's appearance at the university, Mr Adderley also repeated his view that the leisure industry should pay to help police the night-time economy.

He added: "Is it right that the police and the NHS should pick up the pieces while the pubs and clubs walk away with the profits?

"Is that right? No, its not. Morallly that's not right and I've been really firm with them.

"It's a bit controversial and I will carry on trying to get this through when the unitary authorities are set up - the late night levy where they will pay extra for policing.

"Why is it right that you and I should I pay for that while they walk away counting the profits. There's people getting killed and punched and stabbed and all the rest of it but that's not my problem, I've got the profit, I've walked away.

"The volume of time spent on that by the police and the NHS is out of whack."