Official reports have found that most of England’s smart motorway projects offer poor value for money. According to assessments by National Highways, which manages the country's major roads, 11 different projects were evaluated and most were rated as "poor" or "very poor" value.

The AA motoring group described the smart motorways as a "catastrophic waste," pointing to slower travel times and ongoing safety worries. However, one specific section of the M25 was rated highly for its improvements.

National Highways stood by the projects, stating that these motorways remain the safest roads in the country and succeed in adding extra space for traffic. The Department for Transport added that the reports demonstrate how these roads can increase capacity safely.