Controversial schemes to convert stretches of M3, M25, M62 and M40 will be paused until at least 2025

Schemes paused until five years of safety data has been collected for projects introduced before 2020

Decision follows long campaign from relatives of those killed on roads

“While our initial data shows that smart motorways are among the safest roads in the UK, it’s crucial that we go further to ensure people feel safer using them."

Move will stop several motorways having hard shoulders removed, and follows series of deaths of motorists who were stranded in live lanes

They have backed the suspension of the rollout of smart motorways