SIR: The more I read about the forthcoming smart motorway on the M3 between junctions 9 and 12, the more concerned I become.

I live in Compton and regularly see bad accidents when the cars travelling at speed downhill have to break suddenly as slower traffic crawls up the steeper sections. The section between these junctions is particularly hilly. As anyone knows, as soon as an accident happens on this busy section, the M3 quickly comes to a halt, and all the local roads snarl up for miles. We know that the signs on the smart motorway take some time to operate by which time it would be impossible for emergency vehicles to get through without an emergency lane. Surely this just does not make sense? Why do we as locals not get more say in the matter?

A better junction at Winnall is surely the most important matter to solve at present? Accidents there cause blockages for miles, often necessitating a deviation as far a Basingstoke if you are heading north up the A34.

Veronica Bliss,

Clease Way,

Compton