Plans for new smart motorways have been shelved by the UK Government. be cancelled.

The plans have been cancelled due to the current lack of public confidence felt by drivers and cost pressures, the UK Government said.

A smart motorway is “a section of a motorway that uses traffic management methods to increase capacity and reduce congestion in particularly busy areas,” according to UK motoring group the RAC. “These methods include using the hard shoulder as a running lane and using variable speed limits to control the flow of traffic.”

File footage shows traffic on the M1 smart motorway in St Albans in Hertfordshire and on the same motorway in Bedfordshire.

Shotlist:

1. Traffic on the M1 Smart Motorway in near St Albans in Hertfordshire England UK. These 'smart' motorways have caused controversy as many sections lack a hard shoulder, which has led to several deadly accidents. Campaigners are lobbying the UK government to make these highways safer. The camera systems also automatically fine drivers if they break the speed limit. *Stock video clip*

2. Traffic on the M1 Smart Motorway in Bedfordshire England UK. These 'smart' motorways have caused controversy as many sections lack a hard shoulder, which has led to several deadly accidents. Campaigners are lobbying the UK government to make these highways safer. The camera systems also automatically fine drivers if they break the speed limit. *Stock video clip*

3. Traffic on the M1 Smart Motorway in Bedfordshire England UK. These 'smart' motorways have caused controversy as many sections lack a hard shoulder, which has led to several deadly accidents. Campaigners are lobbying the UK government to make these highways safer. The camera systems also automatically fine drivers if they break the speed limit. *Stock video clip*

4. Traffic on the M1 Smart Motorway in Bedfordshire England UK. These 'smart' motorways have caused controversy as many sections lack a hard shoulder, which has led to several deadly accidents. Campaigners are lobbying the UK government to make these highways safer. The camera systems also automatically fine drivers if they break the speed limit. *Stock video clip*