'I never thought I'd still be campaigning seven years on'

The widow of a man killed in a smart motorway crash near Sheffield says she never imagined she would still be campaigning seven years after his death, as she unveiled a new headquarters for the road safety movement she launched in his memory.

Claire Mercer, whose husband Jason Mercer was killed on the M1 near Meadowhall in June 2019, has announced that her Smart Motorways Kill campaign now has a permanent office in the centre of Rotherham.

Speaking outside court, Mr Mercer’s wife, Claire, who has spearheaded the campaign against smart motorways, said: “We had something before that was infallible. The hard shoulder was just always there and didn’t make mistakes and we’ve replaced it with something that isn’t always there and does make mistakes. | Local Library

placeholder image — Speaking outside court, Mr Mercer’s wife, Claire, who has spearheaded the campaign against smart motorways, said: “We had something before that was infallible. The hard shoulder was just always there and didn’t make mistakes and we’ve replaced it with something that isn’t always there and does make mistakes. | Local Library

The campaigner, who has spent years challenging the safety of all-lanes-running smart motorways, said she had considered walking away from the fight on more than one occasion but remains determined to continue until existing smart motorways are removed.

It comes seven years after Jason, 44, and 22-year-old Alexandru Murgeanu died in a collision on the northbound M1 between junctions 34 and 35.

The pair had stopped in a live traffic lane after what was described as a minor collision on a stretch of smart motorway with no hard shoulder. Minutes later, their vehicles were struck by a lorry.

The tragedy sparked national debate about the safety of smart motorways and transformed Claire, from a grieving widow, into one of the country's most recognisable road safety campaigners.

Reflecting on the anniversary of the campaign, Claire said: "I never thought I would still be campaigning seven years on, and still not achieved what's needed."

She described the deaths of Jason and Alexandru as occurring in the name of an "economic benefit" that she believes ultimately failed.

"It has been seven years since Jason and Alexandru were killed in the name of an economic benefit which never actually worked," she said.

"Two men died a horrific death in a scene of utter carnage for no reason."

Clare Mercer's husband Jason, 44, died alongside Alexandru Murgeanu, 22 (Photo: SWNS) | SWNS

Since Jason's death, Claire has dedicated much of her life to exposing what she sees as the dangers of smart motorways, particularly all-lanes-running sections where the hard shoulder has been permanently converted into a live traffic lane.

The campaign has attracted national attention, with Claire appearing before parliamentary committees, taking part in television documentaries and pursuing legal action against National Highways.

She believes one of the campaign's biggest achievements has been raising public awareness.

"We have educated the country on what a smart motorway really is," she said.

"National Highways sneaked them in through the back door so the public couldn't object to what they didn't know about."

Claire also said the campaign had succeeded in bringing increased scrutiny to National Highways and its decision-making.

"We put National Highways and smart motorways in the spotlight, so both were scrutinised more.

"Highly paid executives were made to justify actions, decisions, poor staffing levels and unsuitable technology to judges and coroners."

Perhaps the campaign's most significant victory came in 2023 when the Government announced there would be no new smart motorways built in England due to cost pressures and a lack of public confidence.

Claire said: "We got all new smart motorways scrapped."

However, she stressed that the fight is not over.

"Even though smart motorways have now been acknowledged as too dangerous, too confusing and poorly implemented, we have to carry on using the 400 miles which already exist."

She admitted that maintaining momentum after years of campaigning has been difficult.

"Maintaining momentum gets harder the longer the fight takes," she said.

"More than once I've thought about stopping campaigning."

But support from members of the public who have been affected by similar incidents continues to motivate her.

"Then another member of the public contacts me with their story or I get a 'Keep fighting lass' as someone walks past me in the street."

The latest development for the campaign is the opening of a dedicated office in Rotherham town centre.

Claire said the space would provide a professional base from which to continue campaigning, meet supporters and work on future projects.

"I no longer have to film documentaries in my living room if I don't want to, and I have a professional space to meet with the people that I'm working with on upcoming projects."

Jason's death devastated family and friends, with tributes at the time describing him as a "lovely", "kind" and "funny" man who was known for his warmth and sense of humour.

A keen musician and astronomy enthusiast, Jason's life was celebrated with a festival rather than a traditional funeral, with proceeds supporting men's mental health causes.

In 2023, Claire fulfilled one of her husband's lifelong passions when his ashes were launched into space. Speaking at the time, she said Jason had loved stargazing and would have been thrilled by the idea of "resting with the stars".

Despite the years that have passed, Claire said the loss remains ever-present.

"Losing Jason will continue to affect mine and Jason's family for the rest of our lives," she said.

"But we try and find comfort in each other and all positives as they come our way."

Claire and members of Jason's family are expected to gather at the new office on Sunday, June 7, for photographs and a small celebration to mark the occasion.